Gholam-Hossein Darzi, Iran's Ambassador to the UN, in a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the President of the Security Council, stated that the NATO Secretary-General's remarks regarding the extensive use of European military bases in support of U.S. military action against Iran contradict obligations under international law.
The letter noted that the NATO Secretary-General, in a speech on September 23, 2026, stated that since February 28, 2026, "5,000 aircraft" had flown from European bases in support of what he called "Operation Epic Wrath." He added that this figure was calculated only until mid-April and that the actual number afterward was "likely much higher."
Darzi registered the following points in the letter:
First, the remarks indicate a significant role played by European territory and infrastructure in supporting U.S. military operations against Iran. From Iran's perspective, this could raise the international responsibility of the relevant governments, as well as individual criminal responsibility of European officials involved in planning, preparing, facilitating, or executing acts constituting aggression and war crimes committed by the U.S. and the Israeli regime in Iran.
Second, Iran considers U.S. and Israeli military actions against it as violations of Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity, contrary to Article 2(4) of the UN Charter. According to reports and documentation, U.S. military actions have included attacks on civilians and civilian targets. Iran considers these actions contrary to international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and has announced that more than 3,600 people, including at least 254 children and 251 women, have lost their lives and many others have been injured as a result.
Third, Iran believes that some European countries, by providing their territory, airspace, military facilities, and other logistical and operational capacities for the planning, preparation, and execution of the mentioned attacks, have played a role in facilitating these actions. From Iran's perspective, such behavior can be considered inconsistent with the obligations stipulated in the UN Charter. Additionally, these actions may be examined within the framework of the concept of participation or assistance in an act of aggression, as addressed in UN General Assembly Resolution 3314 (XXIX), titled "Definition of Aggression."
ahmad shirzadian - H.Hakimzadeh
