Iran’s Top Diplomat Declares US Accountability “Non-Negotiable”
Tehran’s senior diplomat has asserted that the United States must be held accountable for its alleged “clear intervention” in recent unrest within Iran. In an editorial published by “Seday-e Iran” (Voice of Iran), a publication overseen by the Office for the Preservation and Publication of the Works of the Supreme Leader, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, laid out the legal case against Washington, emphasizing that allowing such interference to go unpunished would undermine international order.
Unrest and External Support: Tehran’s View
The editorial contends that recent “organized terrorist operations,” following what it terms a “12-day imposed war” against Iran, exposed the true nature of US policy toward the Islamic Republic. It posits a fundamental question for international relations: Can governments continue to overtly interfere in the internal affairs of other nations without facing consequences?
According to the Foreign Minister, substantial evidence, including on-the-ground intelligence and official statements, indicates that the events of January 8-10 (18-20 دی in the Persian calendar) were not spontaneous protests. Instead, Tehran describes them as a “targeted project” backed by the intelligence, media, and operational support of the United States and the Zionist regime. This alleged support involved training, equipping, and directing “criminal elements,” direct encouragement of violence, and deliberate attempts to destabilize Iran’s internal security. These actions, Araghchi argues, transform the events from internal disturbances into terrorist operations with serious international legal ramifications.
Widespread Damage and Diplomatic Breaches
The scope of damage extended beyond the loss of life and property, according to the editorial. It cites the destruction of mosques, educational centers, banks, hospitals, electricity infrastructure, and public stores. It also highlights the “martyrdom” of security forces and the deaths of innocent citizens, claiming the goal of the “rioters” was to paralyze public order and create social fear.
Furthermore, the editorial points to attacks on Iranian diplomatic and consular missions in certain countries as clear violations of the 1961 and 1963 Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations, asserting that these acts crossed “red lines” in diplomacy.
Alleged Violations of International Law
Araghchi asserts that official US positions and statements, particularly overt support for “rioters” and threats of force against Iran, constitute blatant breaches of international law. Specifically, he cites violations of:
- The principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of states.
- The prohibition of the threat or use of force, as stipulated in Article 2(4) of the UN Charter.
- UN General Assembly Resolution 2625 (1970).
- The 1981 Algiers Declarations.
- US international obligations regarding counter-terrorism.
The editorial also describes the “explicit and repeated threats” made by the US President against Iran’s Supreme Leader, the highest official of an independent nation, as an “unforgivable act.” This, Araghchi states, is a clear instance of disregarding the principle of non-intervention and the inviolability of heads of state, a recognized customary international law with significant legal and political consequences.
Iran’s Legal Pursuit of Accountability
In fulfilling its mandate to defend the rights of the Iranian nation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively pursuing the legal and international accountability of the US government for its role in the “12-day imposed war” and the recent alleged terrorist operations. Documentation of these interventions and “hostile actions” is reportedly underway, with legal preparations advancing for claims to be lodged with relevant domestic and international bodies.
The Foreign Minister affirmed that this process will be pursued with utmost seriousness. The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Foreign Ministry, he concluded, “will not compromise on the rights of every single member of the Iranian nation and will not allow support for terrorism to become a cost-free practice in the international system. America must be held accountable for its actions.”
