Iran Files Formal Complaint with UN Security Council Over U.S. Military Threats
Iran has formally accused the United States of violating international law by issuing direct threats of military action, in a complaint submitted to the United Nations Security Council.
In a letter dated February 19, 2026, Iran’s Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, addressed the complaint to Secretary-General António Guterres and the Council’s rotating president, James Kariuki. The diplomatic note alleges that Washington breached the UN Charter by publicly threatening the use of force against Iranian territory.
The complaint stems from a social media post by former U.S. President Donald Trump on February 18. In the post, Trump suggested that if Iran refused to “make a deal,” the United States could consider using military facilities at Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford for a potential strike. Iran’s letter characterizes this as a clear violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits member states from threatening or using force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
Iranian officials further argue that the reported rhetoric coincides with an ongoing build-up of American military assets in the region, collectively raising the risk of unintended confrontation. The letter warns that the situation “must not be viewed as mere political rhetoric,” stating that continued deployments and public threats could destabilize the Middle East and endanger global peace.
Despite the accusations, Tehran reaffirms its commitment to diplomacy. Ambassador Iravani wrote that Iran remains dedicated to resolving disputes through dialogue and is participating in ongoing nuclear negotiations in good faith. Those talks, he explained, aim to secure the removal of what Iran considers unlawful unilateral sanctions while clarifying issues related to its nuclear programme within the framework of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). A balanced agreement, the letter states, remains achievable if the United States approaches negotiations with respect for international law and the UN Charter.
The communication calls on the Security Council to fulfill its responsibility for maintaining international peace by urging the United States to cease what Tehran describes as unlawful threats. It also requests that the letter be circulated as an official document of the Council.
While stating it does not seek conflict, Iran reserves its right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter if attacked. In such a scenario, the letter warns that U.S. military bases and assets in the region could be considered legitimate targets, holding Washington accountable for any resulting escalation.
The formal complaint places the issue of military threats and regional stability directly before the UN’s principal security body at a sensitive time in nuclear diplomacy, highlighting the severe legal and geopolitical stakes between Iran and the United States.
