Iran has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) following Israel’s attacks on multiple Iranian military, nuclear, and civilian sites on Friday.
In a letter to the UNSC, Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations condemned the attacks and described them as a “declaration of war” by Israel.
The letter underscored Iran’s right to self-defence and warned that Tehran reserves the right to respond to the aggression.
The letter also demanded that the international community condemn Israel’s targeting of Iran’s nuclear facilities and the assassination of senior military officials during the operation.
Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions, including at the country’s main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, while Israel declared a state of emergency in anticipation of any retaliation.
Several top Iranian military leaders have been assassinated in Israeli attack, Iranian state media reported.
Major-General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the armed forces and the country’s second-highest military commander after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was among those assassinated.
General Hossein Salami, commander in chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran’s most powerful military branch, was also confirmed dead.
General Gholamali Rashid, deputy commander in chief of the armed forces, was another senior figure who died during the attacks.
Six nuclear scientists in Iran were also assassinated. The semi-official Tasnim news agency identified the victims as Abdulhamid Minouchehr, Ahmadreza Zolfaghari, Seyyed Amirhossein Faqhi, Motablizadeh, Mohammed Mehdi Tehranchi, and Fereydoun Abbasi.
Moreover, Israel’s attack on Iran has drawn responses from the UN and its five permanent Security Council members.
Read: Israel attacks Iran, targets nuclear facilities and military factories
UN calls for restraint
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for “maximum restraint” to avoid “descent into deeper conflict”.
“The secretary-general condemns any military escalation in the Middle East,” Guterres’s spokesperson Farhan Haq said. “He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme are under way.”
The Secretary-General condemns any military escalation in the Middle East.
He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran.
The Secretary-General asks both sides to show maximum restraint.
Full statement: https://t.co/1oZANkZFJF
— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) June 13, 2025
United States
US President Donald Trump, speaking to Fox News, reiterated that “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb” and expressed hopes for renewed diplomacy.
However, he made clear that some Iranian leaders would not be part of any future negotiations. The US denied involvement in the Israeli operation but has warned Iran not to target American personnel or interests in the region.
United Kingdom
British media outlets, including The Times, reported on Friday that the UK was not currently providing military support to Israel.
Defence sources cited by the newspaper said there was no active British role in defending Israel against potential Iranian retaliation.
France
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot urged restraint from all parties and warned against further escalation. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Barrot said France is monitoring the situation “in close coordination with its partners” and taking steps to protect French nationals and interests.
He also reiterated “deep concerns” about Iran’s nuclear programme and called for renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider conflict.
China
Beijing issued security advisories for its citizens in both Israel and Iran, warning of a “complex and severe” situation. The Chinese embassy in Israel urged nationals to avoid military zones and sensitive areas, and to prepare for potential missile and drone attacks.
China did not issue a direct statement on Iran’s UN appeal but signalled heightened concern over regional stability.
Russia
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow would soon release an official statement on the Israeli strikes.
While no immediate comment was made on Iran’s request for a UNSC meeting, Russia signalled that it is closely monitoring developments and intends to respond diplomatically.
