Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has issued a formal warning that the targeted assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, carried out in aggressive and unprovoked attacks by the United States and Israel, will result in deep and widespread consequences for which the perpetrators bear sole responsibility.
In a letter addressed to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the UN Security Council, Minister Araghchi condemned the strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities as a deliberate assault on Iran's national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the highest-ranking official of an independent UN member state.
He described the operation as a grave violation of international law and the fundamental principles governing relations between sovereign nations.
"The martyrdom of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei at the hands of the American-Zionist axis constitutes not only an act of state terrorism but a direct declaration of war against the Islamic Republic of Iran and the broader Muslim world, particularly the Shia community," the minister stated. "These cowardly and unjustified actions will unleash repercussions that extend far beyond our borders, affecting regional stability, global security, and the principles of sovereignty that underpin the international order."
The assassination occurred amid a series of missile strikes that also claimed the lives of senior military and security officials, plunging Iran into a period of national mourning while activating interim leadership structures. Iranian authorities have declared 40 days of mourning and vowed resolute retaliation to defend the nation's dignity and respond to what they characterize as an existential threat.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps has reiterated threats against U.S. and Israeli military interests across the region, emphasizing that the response will continue until the aggressors are held accountable.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and retaliatory actions targeting bases in neighboring countries underscore the escalating risks to global energy markets and maritime security.
Minister Araghchi called on the international community to condemn this violation unequivocally and to hold the responsible parties accountable through the United Nations framework.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves all legitimate rights under international law to defend itself and to ensure that such crimes do not go unanswered," he added. "The consequences of this reckless aggression will be long-lasting and extensive, and the burden of averting further catastrophe rests with those who initiated it."
Iran remains committed to protecting its sovereignty while urging global actors to prioritize de-escalation and respect for international norms to prevent a broader conflict with unpredictable ramifications.