New York, Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani has defended his country military actions against the Zionist entity, saying the operation was completely in line with the Islamic Republic's inherent right to self-defense. Addressing the emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council held Sunday to discuss the situation in the Middle East, Iravani said Iran's response was necessary and appropriate based on Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and international law. 'Iran's operation was entirely in the exercise of Iran's inherent right to self-defense. This concluded action was necessary and proportionate. It was precise and only targeted military objectives, and carried out carefully to minimize the potential for escalation and prevent civilian harm,' Iravani said. The Iranian envoy added 'We thank those members of the Council who condemned the Israeli entity's armed attacks against our diplomatic premises in Syria. Regrettably, in this Chamb er, certain members of the Council, including the US, the UK, and France have chosen once again to turn a blind eye to reality and overlook the root causes contributing to the current situation.' He added 'Following the Israeli entity's cowardly terrorist and armed attack against our diplomatic premises in Damascus the Syrian Arab Republic, on the first of April, we notified the UN Security Council and Secretary-General of such international wrongful acts as well as of Iran's inherent right under international law to respond to such terrorist armed attacks.' 'We called upon the Security Council to strongly denounce this unjustified criminal and terrorist act, taking decisive and appropriate measures to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly and prevent the recurrence of such horrible crimes against the diplomatic premises of any member state. Regrettably, the Security Council has failed in its duty to maintain international peace and security,' said Iravani. He added 'The Security Council must take urge nt and punitive measures to compel the Zionist entity to stop its genocide and massacre against the people of Gaza and uphold its obligations especially fully implement the UNSC resolutions and legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice.' The members of the Security Council must not allow such an august body, the Security Council to be held hostage to the ambitions of such a belligerent entity, the Iranian diplomat affirmed. It is time for the Security Council to shoulder its responsibility and address the real threat to international peace and security. The Security Council must promptly fulfill its duty under Chapter 7 of the Charter in response to Israel's reckless defiance, he noted. Iravani stressed that Tehran does not seek an escalation or war in the region and has no intention of engaging in conflict with the U.S., but it will use its inherent right to self-defense in the event of military operations against it and its interests. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency