The dusty winds of conflict blow stronger across the Middle East as Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi made a pivotal declaration on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Speaking amid escalating tensions with Israel, Araqchi framed Iran’s military response as a matter of national self-defense while warning against regional expansion of hostilities.
“We are defending ourselves; our defense is entirely legitimate,” Araqchi stated during a meeting with foreign diplomats in Tehran. “This defense is our response to aggression. If the aggression stops, naturally our responses will also stop.”
The statement came after Iran launched dozens of missiles toward Israel on Saturday night and early Sunday, with many targeting civilian areas. According to Israeli authorities, at least 10 Israelis were killed in these overnight strikes.
Araqchi emphasized Iran does not want the conflict to spread to neighboring countries “unless the situation is forced.” He specifically condemned Israeli strikes on the offshore South Pars gas field—shared with Qatar—as “a blatant aggression and a very dangerous act,” warning that “dragging the conflict to the Persian Gulf is a strategic mistake.”
Araqchi’s careful wording invokes Article 51 of the UN Charter, which permits nations to exercise “individual or collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs.” In a letter to the UN Security Council, he characterized Israel’s military assault as an “unlawful act of aggression” and cited this provision as legal justification for Iran’s response.
The Security Council met in emergency session following the escalation, where Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for political affairs, urged all parties to “stay the diplomatic course,” noting that “a peaceful resolution through negotiations remains the best means to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.”
Russia’s Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia supported Iran’s position at the session, stating that “Iran has the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.”
The conflict has halted diplomatic initiatives around Iran’s nuclear program. The sixth round of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, scheduled for Sunday, June 15 in Muscat, Oman, was officially cancelled as confirmed by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi.
Araqchi revealed that Iran had intended to “present proposals to the United States” that could lead to a nuclear deal at these now-scrapped talks. He clarified Iran’s position: “We are ready for any agreement aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. However, if the purpose of the agreement is to deprive Iran of its legitimate rights [to develop a peaceful atom], then we are not ready for such an agreement.”
This development follows the IAEA Board of Governors’ June 12 declaration that Iran was in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in nearly 20 years. The IAEA has scheduled an emergency Board session for June 16 to discuss the Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The attack on South Pars gas facility—the world’s largest natural gas field—has triggered economic tremors across global markets. Brent crude jumped 7% on June 13, settling at approximately $74.23 per barrel—its largest one-day gain since January 2025.
Market fears center on potential disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of global oil passes daily. Shipping insurance rates have already risen sharply, and energy analysts warn that even a brief closure could push oil prices above $90 per barrel, potentially reigniting inflation and disrupting global supply chains.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) announced it had 1.2 billion barrels of emergency stocks available in its security system, with Executive Director Fatih Birol stating: “Markets are well supplied today but we’re ready to act if needed.”
The human toll continues to mount on both sides. Iranian authorities reported that the Israeli strikes on June 13 killed at least 78 people, including six nuclear scientists and several senior IRGC commanders, according to Iranian state media. Israel confirmed that 10 of its citizens were killed in Iran’s retaliatory missile strikes.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed damage to the Natanz nuclear facility, where the above-ground part of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant—which had been producing uranium enriched to 60% U-235—was destroyed. Electrical infrastructure at the site, including the main power supply, emergency power, and backup generators, was also damaged.
Grossi emphasized that “nuclear facilities must never be attacked,” warning of potential “radioactive releases with grave consequences within and beyond the boundaries of the State which has been attacked.” He has offered to visit Iran to assess damage and ensure nuclear safety and security.
Araqchi directly accused the United States of complicity, stating that “Israel’s attack would never have happened without the U.S. green light and support.” He dismissed American denials of involvement, saying Iran has “evidence to the contrary.”
Senior U.S. officials acknowledged being informed of Israel’s plans before the strikes. The Biden administration has attempted to distance itself from operational planning while supporting Israel’s right to self-defense, creating diplomatic complications as it tries to balance regional interests.
The immediate future remains uncertain, with several critical developments to watch:
- Iran’s specific response actions and their scale
- Potential threats regarding the Strait of Hormuz
- The emergency IAEA Board meeting on June 16
- Diplomatic initiatives from regional and global powers
- Military movements in the Persian Gulf
As tensions remain high, Araqchi’s statement represents a critical marker in this unfolding crisis—one that balances legal justifications with warnings about further escalation. His invocation of international law and emphasis on proportionate response suggests Iran is seeking to frame its actions within accepted norms while preserving options for both escalation and de-escalation.
What happens next will depend largely on whether diplomatic channels can be reopened and what calculations leaders in Tehran, Jerusalem, and Washington make about their strategic interests in this volatile region.
