Letter to Mirjana Spoljaric Egger President of the International Committee of the Red Cross

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful 

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Excellency, 

I have the honour to address Your Excellency in your capacity as President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, with a matter of utmost urgency and solemn gravity. This correspondence is prompted by the grave developments following the unprovoked and unlawful armed aggression initiated by the Israeli regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran on 13 June 2025.

In my capacity as the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, I find it imperative to apprise Your Excellency of the breaches of international law and International Humanitarian Law committed in the course of these armed attacks. These actions have resulted in extensive loss of civilian life, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, and egregious violations of the fundamental principles enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols. It is with deep concern and firm resolve that I hereby submit this communication, seeking the authoritative recognition and urgent intervention of the International Committee of the Red Cross in addressing this blatant violation of the rules and customs of armed conflict.

Attached herewith, you will find a detailed legal memorandum, which substantiates, the following three central claims:

First, that the military actions of the Israeli regime, whether executed through its regular armed forces or affiliated mercenary groups, meet the definitional criteria of an act of aggression under customary international law, as codified in General Assembly Resolution 3314 (1974), and as interpreted by the International Court of Justice in its authoritative jurisprudence. These acts constitute a manifest breach of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter and the peremptory norm prohibiting the use of force.

Second, that these acts involve grave and systematic violations of International Humanitarian Law, including, inter alia, the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution; the unlawful targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure; and the willful destruction of medical facilities. These actions amount to serious breaches of the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols, attracting individual and State responsibility.

Third, that the Islamic Republic of Iran has acted strictly within the bounds of international law in exercising its inherent right of self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter in response to this armed attack.

In light of the ICRC’s singular mandate as guardian of International Humanitarian Law, we respectfully urge Your Excellency to give this matter the attention it so urgently demands, and to take all appropriate steps consistent with your mandate to identify this act of aggression and addressing Israel’s continued violations. 

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration.

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