Iran says it has 'one word only' for America in tense emergency UN Security Council meeting
Iran's ambassador has said that he has 'one word only' for the US in a meeting of the UN in New York City after the US bombed multiple cities in Iran.
The US and Israel launched multiple attacks against Iran on February 28, with Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed in the bombardment.
Trump has received backlash from some in his own party over the strikes, while Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks against multiple Middle Eastern countries, as well as attempting to hit US military bases in the region. Six US servicemen died in one of Iran's strikes in Bahrain.
Khamenei had ruled Iran since 1989, when he took over after the death of Ruhollah Khomeini who led the Shia Islamist faction to power following the 1979 popular uprising.
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Now, the Islamic Republic has been plunged into crisis by the death of its leader, while political opponents of Donald Trump in the US have condemned the action.
At an emergency session at the UN, Iran's representative had harsh words for the US ambassador.
Iranian ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani told the meeting: "I have one word only. I advise to the representative of the United States to be polite."
He added: "It will be better for yourself and the country you represented, thank you."
US ambassador Mike Walz replied: "Frankly, I'm not going to dignify this with another response."
He added: "Especially, as this representative sits here, in this body, representing a regime that has killed tens of thousands of its own people and imprisoned many more simply for wanting freedom from your tyranny."
Iravani condemned the US and Israeli action, saying: "This morning, the United States regime - jointly and in coordination with the Israeli regime - initiated an unprovoked and premeditated aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran for the second time in recent months."
He added: "This is not only an act of aggression; it is a war crime and a crime against humanity.
"The invocation to 'preemptive attack', claims of imminent threat, or other unsubstantiated political claims, are unfounded legally, morally and politically."
The US and Israeli attacks came as talks between the US and Iran over its nuclear program ended without them reaching an agreement.
Trump had previously threatened action against Iran if they were unable to reach a deal, and has threatened more action if the country retaliates further.
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian has called revenge for Khamenei's death a 'legitimate duty and right', saying: “The Islamic Republic of Iran considers bloodshed and revenge against the perpetrators and commanders of this crime as its legitimate duty and right, and will fulfil this great responsibility and duty with all its might."
Fact check: Who is responsible for missile strike on Iranian school that killed at least 165 people?
According to Iranian state media, during the US and Israel’s missile strikes on Saturday (February 28), Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in Minab was hit.
They claim 165 people were killed, mostly children, and 95 people have been injured.
State news agencies have distributed pictures that appear to show the school in ruins, as well as images of body bags, which it says are students who were killed.
Because of Iran’s oppressive regime, it is difficult for foreign journalists to verify the attack.
However, French news agency AFP said it had geolocated videos to the site showing damage to a building, which appeared to be a school.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told press on Monday (2 March): “The United States would not deliberately target a school.”
US Central Command said it was ‘looking into’ allegations of ‘civilian harm resulting from ongoing military operations’.
Israel says it is not aware of any Israeli or US strikes on a school in Iran.
Topics: News, World News, US News, Iran, Donald Trump
Kit Roberts