Iran: Iran condemned the US military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro as "state terrorism" and a violation of the UN Charter at an emergency Security Council session on Monday. "The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the military attack carried out by the United States of America against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela," Iran's permanent representative to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani said.
According to Anadolu Agency - English, this illegal act constitutes state terrorism, a manifest violation of Charter of the United Nations, norms of international law, and amounts to an internationally wrongful act and a full-fledged act of aggression, the Iranian envoy stated. He further emphasized that military aggression against a UN member state establishes a serious breach of peace and security with far-reaching consequences.
Iran expressed that the capture of Maduro and his wife is a flagrant violation of customary international law and principles of the inviolability of the immunities accorded to the heads of state. Iravani affirmed that the action represents a grave assault on the sovereign equality of states, reiterating Iran's full support for Venezuela's people and government.
Iran accused the US of attempting to substitute domestic law for international law and the UN Charter, warning this threatens the international community and all member states. Iravani remarked that the US policy of peace through strength prescribes the law of the jungle and the rule of force instead of the rule of law, cautioning it would render the UN's collective security system ineffective.
Iran criticized the continued inaction by the UN Security Council in the face of US threat and act of aggression, saying it has fostered a dangerous climate of impunity. The representative noted that US President Donald Trump had repeatedly issued public threats of force against Iran while claiming to support the Iranian people.
"Iran reaffirms its inherent right to defend society, territorial integrity, and national security," the envoy concluded. "The United States of America will bear full responsibility for consequences arising from its unlawful threats."