Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, has slammed the UN Security Council’s (UNSC) silence regarding the repeated Israeli airstrikes and violations against Damascus, saying this undermines Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Takht-Ravanchi made remarks at a UNSC meeting on 21 June, stating that the Islamic Republic of Iran “strongly condemns Israel’s prolonged occupation of Syrian Golan, as well as its numerous breaches of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including the most recent attacks that targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure, in particular terrorist attacks against Damascus International Airport.”

The senior diplomat stressed that Tehran recognizes Syria’s legitimate right to defend itself from Israeli attacks, in accordance with International law and the UN charter.

He added that the Security Council should abandon its double standards and condemn Israel for their repeated acts of aggression against Syria.

“The situation has been aggravated by the unilateral sanctions which have stymied the implementation of Resolution 2585, which calls for the provision of basic services and implementation of early recovery and reconstruction projects, thus impeding Syria’s reconstruction efforts and hampering humanitarian aid delivery in a variety of ways, even delaying the return of refugees and displaced persons,” Takht-Ravanchi added.

On 27 April, Syria’s foreign ministry sent a letter to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, saying that Damascus reserves the right to respond to Israeli, Turkish, and US attacks accordingly.

The letter was delivered just hours after Israel launched a round of missile attacks on the countryside of Damascus, killing at least four Syrian soldiers and wounding several others.

The ministry condemned the attack, referring to it as “blatant and cowardly aggression,” urging the UNSC to condemn the aggression, and demand their cessation and respect for the relevant UNSC resolutions.

According to Takht-Ravanchi, the Syrian government is capable of achieving social and economic stability for the nation, yet this potential has been undermined by opponents who constantly take illegal measures against the country.

It was reported that 14.6 million Syrians would require humanitarian aid in 2022, 1.2 million more than the previous year. Provisions of basic services such as electricity, water, and health care is declining as a result of years of war.