Iran’s Top Human Rights Official Condemns Israeli Military Aggression in Letter to 150+ Countries

In a letter to his counterparts in other countries, Nasser Seraj, the Secretary-General of the High Council for Human Rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran stated the Zionist occupying and aggressor regime, during a twelve-day imposed war (from June 13 to July 24), relying on extensive intelligence, weapons and political support from some Western governments that claim to defend human rights, carried out a series of coordinated, targeted and pre-planned military attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran. These aggressive actions, which were accompanied by a clear violation of the fundamental principles of international law and clearly demonstrate a widespread and systematic violation of the provisions of international law in various fields.

The full text of the letter follows:

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Your Excellency;

As you are aware, the Zionist occupying and aggressor regime, during a twelve-day imposed war (from June 13 to July 24), relying on extensive intelligence, weapons and political support from some Western governments that claim to defend human rights, carried out a series of coordinated, targeted and pre-planned military attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran. These aggressive actions, which were accompanied by a clear violation of the fundamental principles of international law, targeted not only peaceful nuclear facilities and military centers, but also vital civilian infrastructure, residential areas, Red Crescent aid workers and even media institutions, and clearly demonstrate a widespread and systematic violation of the provisions of international law in various fields.

From the perspective of international law, the Zionist regime’s action is a clear example of military aggression that violates the fundamental principle of “prohibition of the use of force” enshrined in Article 2 of the United Nations Charter. Furthermore, the attacks carried out have grossly and blatantly violated the rules governing international humanitarian law (IHL), in particular the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution in attack. Also, targeting civilians and medical and relief facilities is considered a war crime and is subject to international prosecution under the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols.

The Zionist regime has repeatedly demonstrated in recent years that in practice it has no adherence to the peremptory norms of international law, fundamental principles of human rights, or even the minimum requirements of humanitarian law. A review of the regime’s criminal actions in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Lebanon clearly shows that it is systematically undermining the rule of law at the international level, with complete disregard for the international system, especially the United Nations Charter.

This is while this regime, despite such a serious record of violating international law, continues to enjoy the apparent legitimacy resulting from being recognized by some states and membership in international institutions, which in itself is a reflection of the profound failure of international institutions to protect the principles and primary purposes of the founding of the United Nations, especially the principles of "prohibition of the threat or use of force", "respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states", and "ensuring and promoting human rights".

Today, it can be stated with certainty that in the nearly eight decades of the existence of the United Nations, no regime has committed the four cardinal international crimes of aggression, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide so recklessly and repeatedly as the Zionist regime. These actions, carried out with the full support of the United States of America and some of its Western partners, have not only made a mockery of international legal institutions, but have also led to the virtual collapse of public trust in the mechanisms of international justice.

Meanwhile, the human rights and the institutions protecting human rights, which have been targeted, are the main victim of these expansionist and racist policies. This is despite the fact that protecting human rights is one of the main goals of the establishment of the United Nations, and various mechanisms, including councils, committees, and special rapporteurs, have been designed and implemented to protect it. Despite this, the Zionist regime, relying on the political and diplomatic support of the power blocs, has remained immune from real accountability for its widespread and repeated violations, and has practically challenged the principle of equality before international law.

Please note the following statistics and figures:

• From October 7, 2023 to today, about 57,130 people were martyred in Gaza, most of whom are women and children.
• The number of people injured in the Zionist regime's genocide in Gaza has been recorded as 135,173 people.
• Since March 18, 2025 alone, 6,572 people have been martyred and 23,132 people have been injured in Gaza.
• Nearly 14,000 Palestinians are still missing and under the rubble in the Gaza Strip.
• The Zionist regime has issued an order for the forced migration of another 80,000 Palestinians in Khan Yunis.
• According to Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, about 85 percent of the territory in the Gaza Strip is either under forced evacuation orders or is located within military zones declared by the occupying army. Since the ceasefire collapsed last March, some 714,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced from their homes one or more times. However, not a single shipment of aid for shelter and temporary accommodation has entered the Gaza Strip in the past four months.
• Since the ceasefire between Lebanon and the Zionist regime was established on November 27, 2024, the Israeli regime has violated the ceasefire about 3,700 times, resulting in the martyrdom or injury of thousands of innocent people.
• During the 12-day imposed war by the Zionist regime against Iran, about 1100 people were martyred. Among the martyrs were 102 women (2 of whom were pregnant mothers) and dozens of children and adolescents, and 14 were considered among the scientific elite. Rayan Ghasemian is considered the youngest martyr, who was only 2 months old.
• More than 5600 people were injured and wounded during the Zionist regime's aggression against Iran, mostly civilians including women and children, the elderly and disabled, medical and health personnel, etc.
• 7 hospitals and medical centers, 6 emergency bases, 4 health units, and more than 10 ambulances were attacked during the Zionist regime's blind attacks on Iran. Farabi Hospital in Kermanshah, Martyr Motahari Hospital, Martyr Labafinejad Hospital, and Hakim Children's Hospital in Tehran are among the medical centers that were damaged.
• The brutal attack by the Zionist regime on the Red Crescent Society’s Peace Building, resulted in the martyrdom of a Red Crescent firefighter and aid worker; an act that is not only a blatant crime against humanity, but also a gross violation of international humanitarian law. Now, considering the above statistics and documents and the process designed by the child-killing Zionist regime and its supporters, is there any room left to talk about international law and human rights?!

Is there really any area or rule of international law and human rights that has been spared from the all-out attacks of this regime?!

Although territorial aggression and violation of the erga omnes rule of “prohibition of threat or use of force” are prohibited by the United Nations Charter (Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the United Nations Charter), the Charter and other treaties in the field of humanitarian law, in a realistic environment where war will actually occur, tried to prohibit aggressor states from committing certain acts during wartime and thus established principles such as the principle of separation, the principle of precaution, and the principle of military necessity. It can be confidently admitted that no aggressor has ever violated these principles and violated the rules and principles of humanitarian law as the Zionist regime has done in recent years. Repeated attacks on hospitals, religious sites, historical and ancient sites, ambulances, Red Crescent forces and bases, the Broadcasting Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRIB), journalists, and even prisons show that the Zionist regime is actually seeking to create a new order in international humanitarian law, in which, instead of observing the principle of separation and distinction between military and civilian targets, genocide and the destruction of all beings present in a specific area will be the criterion of action and considered a value!

Below is a list of violations committed by the lawless and aggressor Zionist regime during the 12-day imposed war against Iran.

The most important examples of human rights violations against the Iranian people as a result of the 12-day aggression by the Zionist regime

Violation of the right to life: “The right to life is a fundamental and inalienable right that is explicitly guaranteed in Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and General Comment No. 36 of the Human Rights Committee, and accordingly, no one should be arbitrarily or unlawfully deprived of life. In the recent attacks by the Zionist regime on Iranian territory, nearly 1,000 people, including women, children, the elderly, patients, scientists, and athletes, have lost their lives. These attacks were carried out without observing the principle of distinction between military and civilian targets and are a clear example of arbitrary deprivation of the right to life. The targeting of the Islamic Republic of Iran IRIB building, which housed journalists and media workers, as well as the bombing of Kermanshah Hospital, the Tehran Red Crescent building, and places near the Heart Hospital on Shariati Street, which are medical and relief centers, demonstrate complete disregard for the obligation to respect the dignity of human life”.

The Right to Health: “The Israeli regime’s military attacks on Iran, which began on June 13, 2025, have included the deliberate targeting of Iranian medical personnel and health facilities. These attacks have resulted in the martyrdom and injury of a significant number of civilians, including 6 doctors and more than 20 medical personnel, and extensive destruction of the country’s civilian and health infrastructure. In an official letter to the UN Security Council and the Secretary-General of this organization, the Islamic Republic of Iran has considered these Israeli actions to be a clear violation of international law, including international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, as well as a violation of the internationally recognized rights of medical personnel and health infrastructure. These attacks are contrary to Articles 18 and 19 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and Article 52 of its First Additional Protocol, which prohibit attacks on medical facilities and media in times of war. Furthermore, attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and civilian infrastructure are considered a violation of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s safety protocols and the Geneva Conventions.”

The right to personal security: "The right to physical and mental security includes not only the protection of life but also the protection of the mental health of individuals. The repeated threat of bombing people's homes and creating an atmosphere of mental terror has caused anxiety, chronic fear, and widespread psychological trauma. Attacks on medical and relief centers also threaten not only the physical health of individuals, but also directly destroy their mental health, as the sick and injured lose access to essential care and their families are exposed to anxiety and despair, which is clearly a violation of the right to health in accordance with Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights."

Prisoner Rights: “The Zionist regime’s attack on Evin Prison took place on June 23, 2025, in the midst of the Iran-Israel war, and various parts of the prison, including the guardhouse, administration office, prosecutor’s office, women’s ward, health center, and library, were damaged. This attack, which was carried out using drones or explosives, resulted in the deaths of at least 79 people, including prisoners, administrative staff, conscripts, families of prisoners, and even prison neighbors. From a legal perspective, this attack is a clear violation of human rights and humanitarian law. According to the principles and rules of international law, targeting prison facilities that house civilians and prisoners is considered a violation of the fundamental rights of prisoners, including their right to life, health, and security. This action is also a violation of the principles of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and according to the UN Charter, the use of force against the territorial integrity of countries is prohibited. International organizations, including the UN Human Rights Office and Amnesty International, have considered this attack a serious violation of international humanitarian law and an example of a war crime. The criminal and international responsibility of the Zionist regime in this attack is also traceable, and according to the Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Geneva Conventions, attacks on civilians and civilian facilities are considered war crimes.

Violation of protections provided to journalists and the media and violation of the right to freedom of expression: "According to Article 79 of the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, as well as interpretations by human rights institutions on Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, civilian journalists present in conflict zones are entitled to full protection as civilians, provided that they do not directly participate in hostilities. The direct attack on the IRIB news building, where reporters, cameramen, editors, technical and editorial staff were working, in addition to violating the principle of separation, is a clear violation of international obligations to protect the media and journalists..."

Right to career freedom and security: “Given this aggression, a violation of the right to career freedom and security is also conceivable, because attacks on various facilities and centers, especially nuclear and military centers, have threatened the lives and occupational security of employees and specialists in these fields. In addition to threatening physical security, this attack creates an atmosphere of job insecurity and restrictions on their professional activities, which is part of fundamental human and occupational rights. Although direct sources have not mentioned the violation of the right to career freedom and security in detail, this conclusion can be drawn given the nature of the attacks and the targeting of work and specialized centers.”

Violation of the principle of distinction: “The principle of distinction is one of the fundamental pillars of humanitarian law, clearly stated in Articles 43(2) and 48 of Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions. This principle is based on the fact that the parties to the conflict are obliged to distinguish completely between military forces and civilians, as well as between military objectives and civilian objects, in all their military actions... However, in the attacks by the Zionist regime, Kermanshah Hospital, Tehran Red Crescent Building, and Evin Prison Hospital, which are known as relief and medical centers and whose activities are entirely civilian, have been targeted as military objectives”. These attacks demonstrate a lack of distinction between military and civilian targets and a failure to observe the principle of distinction, which is contrary to the humanitarian law obligations of the parties to the conflict and has led to unnecessary widespread casualties and damage to civilians.”

Silence in the face of aggression: a danger beyond political negligence

As explained in the previous section of this correspondence, the Zionist regime’s blatant aggression during the recent 12-day war against the Islamic Republic of Iran has included a series of criminal acts that violate the peremptory norms of international law; from the violation of national sovereignty and the targeted assassination of Iranians in the third countries’ territory to direct attacks on civilian infrastructure. But what is even more regrettable and worrying, alongside these crimes, is the heavy silence and inaction of international institutions and governments claiming to defend human rights, in the face of these egregious and unprecedented acts.

In a situation where principles such as the prohibition of the use of force, respect for the sovereignty of states, and the immunity of civilians in armed conflicts are considered to be among the most important and inviolable rules of public international law, it was expected that the international community – especially the responsible institutions in the United Nations, the Human Rights Councils, and independent states – would respond appropriately to these blatant violations by adopting firm, transparent, and responsible positions. Unfortunately, the response of many of these actors was either completely absent or expressed in a passive and dismissive manner that not only was not effective in protecting the victims, but also emboldened the violators.

In the meantime, it should be clearly emphasized that the silence and inaction of states and international institutions in the face of violations of peremptory norms is itself an independent and flagrant violation of their international obligations. According to Article 41 of the draft of the “International Responsibility of States” which has gained customary validity today, all states are obliged to:

• refrain from recognizing the illegal situation;

• not participate in or assist in any way in maintaining or perpetuating that situation;

• take effective and proactive measures to eliminate it.

Ignoring these obligations is not just a legal negligence, but a fundamental weakening of the international legal order and providing a platform of immunity for violators of global justice. Such a practice practically calls into question the legitimacy and effectiveness of international mechanisms in defending human rights and collective security.

It should be noted that a regime that today so brazenly engages in aggression, assassination, and lawlessness against the Islamic Republic of Iran could tomorrow also jeopardize the peace, security, and sovereignty of other countries, including today’s silent and indifferent governments. Therefore, today’s silence is not only a violation of responsibility towards the Iranian people, but also a disregard for the fundamental principles of peaceful coexistence in the international system.

Finally, it must be warned that indifference and inaction in the face of violations of peremptory norms will itself pave the way for broader legal, political, and even security crises in the future. Today, more than ever, the international community must demonstrate that it has a serious will to protect the fundamental principles of international law in the face of injustice, regardless of political and expediency considerations.

The Right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Self-Defense

As previously emphasized, during its 12-day war against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Zionist regime, crossing all legal, moral, and humane red lines, carried out a series of aggressive and criminal acts with the support of some powers, especially the United States of America. These acts, which included direct military attacks, aggressive intelligence operations, and the destruction of vital infrastructure related to the legitimate presence of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the region, constitute a clear and systematic violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, international law, international human rights, and the rules on the law of war.

In this unequal war, the Zionist regime’s officials, by making explicit threats against Iran, officially took the responsibility for military operations against forces and facilities affiliated with the Islamic Republic. These actions not only undermined regional peace and stability, but also directly targeted the sovereignty, national security, and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The aforementioned aggressions are considered a perfect example of an “armed attack” within the meaning of Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

In such circumstances, the Islamic Republic of Iran, as a country that had been the target of a series of planned military operations and hostile actions, took a legal and deterrent response within the framework of its inherent right to self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

It should be emphasized that the response of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in contrast to the reckless, careless and violent behavior of the Zionist regime, was designed and implemented with strict observance of the principles of international law, ethical standards and human and Islamic values. This response was proportionate, targeted and carried out with complete avoidance of harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure; in order to prevent the emergence of a humanitarian crisis or the escalation of regional instability, while maintaining international legitimacy.

Article 51 of the United Nations Charter explicitly states:

“Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security”.

Accordingly, the Islamic Republic of Iran, not out of a desire for revenge, but within the framework of international law, was forced to exercise this legitimate and legal right in order to protect its national security, save the lives of its citizens, and prevent future aggression.

Iran also declares that the exercise of this right is in no way inconsistent with its international obligations; rather, it has been undertaken in line with the safeguarding of the international legal order and the defense of the fundamental right of every nation to confront state aggression and terrorism.

Requests and Expectations

• Condemnation of the Zionist regime's aggression and various violations of international law committed by this regime: As mentioned in this correspondence, the Israeli regime's military aggression against Iran, including attacks on military and nuclear facilities, is a clear violation of the principles of international law, including the principle of prohibition of the use of force, national sovereignty, territorial integrity of countries, and most importantly, the protection and guarantee of human rights, and it is necessary to be condemned by national, regional, and international human and political rights institutions.
• Not cooperating in the continuation and justification of violations committed by the Zionist regime: Immediately after the start of its aggressive operations in Iran, the Zionist regime and its supporters began publishing legal arguments and justifications and fabricated and false literature to justify their actions that are clearly against international law within the framework of false claims such as "preemptive defense", "the imminent occurrence attacks and threats by Iran", "the targeted attacks by Israeli regime's during the war and the observance of the principle of separation", etc. In this scene where there is no longer any doubt about the illegality and inhumanity of the attacks of this regime addicted to aggression, all intellectuals, and especially the heads of the highest human rights institutions of the countries, are expected to refrain from cooperating and assisting in justifying the actions committed by this regime during the 12-day war against Iran, far from any politicization and selectivity.
• Call for international action, the formation of a fact-finding committee, and participation in the legal documentation of the crimes: Given the extensive and ongoing dimensions of the Zionist regime’s crimes against the peoples of the region, especially the recent actions of this regime in directly violating the sovereignty of Iran and targeting citizens and official advisors of the Islamic Republic of Iran during the recent 12-day war, it is essential that the international community move beyond mere condemnation and take effective and tangible action. In this regard, the formation of an independent international fact-finding committee to investigate and document war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international human rights law by the Zionist regime is necessary and urgent. Such an action is not only a step towards achieving justice for the victims, but will also guarantee lasting peace and confront impunity. In this context, the third step, after condemnation and non-cooperation in justifying the crimes, is active participation and effective cooperation with the victim states in the process of international documentation of these crimes. It is rightly expected that the heads of the highest human rights institutions in various countries, in light of the principles of "extraterritoriality of human rights" and "universality of international obligations in the field of human rights", will not withhold their assistance and support from the government and people of Iran in the process of legal and judicial documentation initiated by the judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Such cooperation is not only a step towards achieving justice and international accountability, but will also help strengthen the global legal order and deterrence against aggression and systematic violence.
• Protecting the human rights of civilians and pursuing their cases directly: Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities have had a devastating and widespread impact on the lives of civilians and their essential services. National and international human rights institutions are expected to intervene and prevent human rights violations during these conflicts.
• Political and diplomatic pressure: All national and international human rights institutions are expected to build a global consensus against the aggression and increase political and diplomatic pressure on the Israeli regime.
• Helping to protect the international legal order: Israel’s aggression against Iran is seen as a threat to the international legal order and regional security, and human rights institutions are expected to play an active role in preserving and strengthening this order and preventing its collapse.

Finally, four documentary files titled as List of Children Victims of the Zionist Regime's Attacks on Iran, List of Athlete Martyrs, List of Nuclear Scientists Martyrs, and Report on the Zionist Regime's Terrorist Attack on Evin Prison, which reveal a part of the Zionist regime's brutal crimes during the 12-day aggression against Iran, are attached for your consideration.

Nasser Seraj

Secretary-General of the High Council for Human Rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran