Upon instruction from my Government and with reference to the letter dated 10 May 2018 from the Permanent Representative of the Israeli regime to the United Nations (S/2018/443), and pursuant to my letter dated 9 May 2018 (S/2018/445) rejecting baseless allegations against the Islamic Republic of Iran, I would like to draw your attention to the following:

1. The Israeli regime’s claim regarding a military action by Iran from the Syrian territory against their military positions in the occupied Golan Heights is false and unfounded and has its root in this regime’s policy of aggression, deception and adventurism. Contrary to this claim and based on the communication from the Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Syrian Arab Republic dated 10 May 2018 (S/2018/447), the Israeli regime’s forces initiated the aggression by launching rocket attacks and air strikes on 9 May 2018 against the Syrian territory. In the face of this aggression initiated by the Israelis, the Syrian army exercised its legitimate right to self-defence on 10 May and responded in an appropriate and proportionate manner.

2. The presence of a limited number of Iranian military advisers in Syria is on the invitation of the legitimate Syrian Government, is aimed at assisting Syrian forces and their allies in their fight against internationally designated terrorist groups and will continue as long as necessary. Moreover, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its right to self-defence in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

3. The new round of Israeli aggression, which constitutes a grave violation of the purposes and principles of the Charter and international law, follows the recent series of severe defeats inflicted on terrorist groups in Syria and is an attempt to provide them with a respite, allowing them to regroup and rearm. These aggressions undermine the current fight against terrorist groups in Syria and threaten peace and security in the region.

4. Silence and inaction by the international community in the face of the acts of aggression and crime by the Israeli regime will lead to more similar acts, further exacerbating the situation in Syria and the surrounding region. The Islamic Republic of Iran calls upon the international community, and the Security Council in particular, to uphold their responsibilities by condemning the Israeli acts of aggression and requiring the Israeli regime to stop its aggressions and provocations, which undermine the fight against terrorism and dangerously threaten peace and security in the region.

I should be grateful if you would have the present letter circulated as a document of the Security Council.

Gholamali Khoshroo