Iran Warns of ‘Decisive’ Response to Any Military Aggression

United Nations: Iran has warned that it will respond “decisively and proportionately” to any military aggression, exercising its right to self-defence under the UN Charter, its ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said in a letter addressed to the UN secretary-general and the president of the Security Council.

Referring to recent remarks by Donald Trump regarding Diego Garcia, Iravani wrote that in the event of aggression, “all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile force in the region would constitute legitimate targets in the context of Iran’s defensive response.” He added that the United States would bear full responsibility for any “unpredictable and uncontrolled consequences.”

Trump on Wednesday described Britain’s lease of Diego Garcia—a strategic US-British military base in the Indian Ocean’s Chagos archipelago—as a “big mistake,” suggesting it may be used by the United States if nuclear talks with Iran fail. Under a deal announced in May 2025, Britain agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while leasing back Diego Garcia for 99 years at an annual cost of £101 million.

In his letter, Iravani cautioned that, given the volatile regional situation and the continued build-up of US military assets, such statements should not be dismissed as rhetoric. “They signal a real risk of military aggression,” he warned.

He urged the UN Security Council and the UN secretary-general to act “without delay,” stressing that threats or use of force must not be normalised or treated as legitimate tools of foreign policy.

The letter also reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to achieving a mutually acceptable and results-oriented outcome in nuclear negotiations with the United States, saying a durable and balanced agreement remains possible if talks are approached with seriousness, sincerity, and respect for international law.

With inputs from IANS