Iran condemns US strikes that killed Khamenei at UN meeting

Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Amir-Saeid Iravani condemned U.S. strikes on Iran that targeted the country’s military leadership and killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, calling the attack a double standard and vowing the country would defend itself at a U.N. Security Council meeting on Saturday.

Iravani accused the United States of undermining its claims to seek international stability by attacking a sovereign country for its “domestic” activities.

“Neither the Charter nor international law recognizes the internal issues of a state as justification for the use of force by other states. The rule of law would be replaced by the rule of force,” Iravani said.

“Iran will continue to exercise its right of self-defense decisively and without hesitation until aggression ceases completely and unequivocally.”

On Saturday morning, President Donald Trump ordered the execution of Operation Epic Fury, citing Tehran’s continued efforts to develop a nuclear weapon.

Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Amir-Saeid Iravani addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, file)

“The policy of the United States, particularly of my administration, has always been that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I repeat. They can never have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said in his remarks about Saturday’s attack.

Trump oversees US strikes on Iran from Mar-a-lago, speaks with Netanyahu: WH

Trump said the strikes were intended to “defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime” and came after Iran refused to abandon plans to develop nuclear capabilities.

President Donald Trump raises his fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Iravani called the attack a continuation of long-standing US aggression against Iran.

“Mr. President, this morning the American regime, in conjunction and coordination with the Israeli regime, launched an unprovoked and premeditated aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran for the second time in recent months,” Irvani said, referring to US-led strikes against its nuclear enrichment sites last year.

OBAMA OFFICIAL WHO SUPPORTED IRAN DEAL CAUSES INDIGATION IN LINE WITH REACTION TO TRUMP STRIKE: ‘SIT THIS ONE OUT’

“The President of the United States and the Prime Minister of the Israeli regime openly claimed responsibility for this act of aggression and explicitly formulated regime change as their goal, an unequivocal admission of their intention to violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran.”

U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz pushed back on Iravani’s characterizations.

Mike Waltz, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in Iran at United Nations headquarters in New York. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

“For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted, quote, ‘Death to America’ at every turn. At every overture, it has sought to eradicate the State of Israel. It has waged an endless campaign of bloodshed and mass murder,” Waltz said.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Iravani did not address negotiations between the United States and Iran over its nuclear development plans.

Related article