Credit: UN Photo  / Loey Felipe / Majid Takht Ravanchi, Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, briefs journalists during Security Council consultations on the situation in the Middle East, specifically concerning Iran outside Security Council at UN world headquarters in New York June 24, 2019. 

By Gary Raynaldo      DIPLOMATIC TIMES

UNITED NATIONS    –    Majid Takht-Ravanchi , the Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations, accused the U.S. of repeatedly violating its air space in provocative actions the culminated in the shooting down of an American drone last week.  The action prompted U.S. President Trump to give approval to  multiple  military  “retaliatory” strikes on Iran but changed his orders at the last minute.  Both U.S. and Iran’s UN ambassadors waged a war of words Monday after a Security Council meeting on the  situation.

“There is no doubt when targeted the drone was flying over the Iranian territorial sea. This was done after several radio warnings. All of which were disregarded. Iran’s action was in full conformity with international law. Iran acted in self defense in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.”

-Majid Takht-Ravanchi , the Permanent Representative of Iran to the UN June 24, 2019

The Iranian ambassador also told journalists that on the same day it shot down the drone, another U.S. spy craft with 35 people on board violated Iran’s air space.  “However, Iranian armed forces exercised maximum restraint and not action was taken against the invading aircraft.  In another incident, in less than one month another U.S. spy drone entered our airspace on 26 May 2019 and we didn’t act against that either.  Iran has consistently recorded its protests against all such violations and provocative actions with through the U.S. Interest Section in the Embassy of Switzerland in Tehran,” he stated.   Ambassodor Takht-Ravanchi, made his comments to reporters outside the Security Council chamber, where a closed-door meeting was being held to discuss the deteriorating relations between the United States, and Iran. He said he had asked to take part in the meeting, but the request had been refused,which he blamed the US, a Permanent Member of the 15-member body.

 U.S. Imposes Additional Sanctions on Iran After Drone Incident 

Credit: UN Photo / Loey Felipe /  Jonathan R. Cohen, Acting Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations, addresses the press  after  Security Council consultations on the situation in the Middle East, specifically concerning Iran.

Iran ‘was responsible’ :  acting US ambassador

US officials have said that Iran was responsible for two separate incidents in recent weeks, around the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, involving six oil tankers which were damaged. Iran has categorically denied any involvement.   

“…it’s clear to us, and it should be to the world, that Iran was responsible for the May 12 and June 13 attacks against ships in the Persian Gulf. Such attacks pose a serious threat to the freedom of navigation and commerce in one of the world’s most important waterways.”   

Jonathan R. Cohen, Acting Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations   

Ambassador Cohen contends  the drone had not entered Iranian airspace but relied on interpreting its position as having been in the country’s “flight information region”, which is “not the same as their airspace”.

“Iran must understand that these attacks are unacceptable. It’s time for the world to join us in saying so. Our policy remains an economic and diplomatic effort to bring Iran back to the negotiating table”, –  Ambassador Cohen. 

Trump on Monday leveled new sanctions against Iranian leaders, turning up the heat on Tehran. 

President Trump announced sanctions on the Supreme Leader of Iran and the office of the Supreme Leader of Iran and several others.

   Security Council urge all countries to ‘exercise maximum restraint’

After the closed-door talks, Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi of Kuwait, which holds the Council’s presidency for the month of June, read out an informal statement on behalf of the 15-member body condemning the attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf, saying they represented a “serious threat to maritime navigation and energy supply” as well as being a threat to international peace and security.

“The Council members urge concerned parties and all countries in the region to exercise maximum restraint and take measures and actions to reduce escalation and end tension.”

Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi of Kuwait, said in a statement , which  also called for differences to be addressed “peacefully and through dialogue”.