Iran argued that attacks by the United States and Israel on its territory are not merely acts of aggression but war crimes.
Amir Saeed Iravani, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, said at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council in New York on Feb. 28 (local time) that the United States and Israel intentionally struck civilian-dense areas in Iran's major cities, and that more than 100 children were killed at one school.
Iravani said, "The number of innocent civilian casualties continues to rise," and emphasized, "This is not merely an act of aggression but a war crime and a crime against humanity."
He also said that the war against Iran is a war against the U.N. Charter and against international law and the international order.
Iravani said that in response, Iran is exercising its right of self-defense and will exercise that right "without hesitation" until the aggression stops.
He added that he is firmly committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighboring countries.