Iravani made the remarks in a letter to the UN secretary-general and the UN Security Council president on Monday, saying that the imposition of a maritime blockade amounts to a flagrant breach of the prohibition on the threat or use of force enshrined in Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations and constitutes a clear act of aggression under international law.
On 12 April 2026, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) publicly declared that US forces would begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports pursuant to a presidential proclamation.
The following is the full text of Iravani’s letter:
Excellencies,
Upon instructions from my Government, I am writing to bring to your urgent attention, and to that of the members of the Security Council, the continued internationally wrongful acts of the United States against the Islamic Republic of Iran. On 12 April 2026, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) publicly declared that U.S. forces would begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports pursuant to a presidential proclamation.
The imposition of a maritime blockade constitutes a grave violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It amounts to a flagrant breach of the prohibition on the threat or use of force enshrined in Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations and constitutes a clear act of aggression under international law. Furthermore, this unlawful measure constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental principles of the international law of the sea. By seeking to obstruct maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports, the United States unlawfully interferes with the exercise of the sovereign rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran and infringes upon the rights of third States and lawful maritime commerce under international law.
The Islamic Republic of Iran unequivocally rejects and condemns the unlawful act of the United States in the strongest possible terms. It will exercise its inherent right to take all necessary and proportionate measures, in accordance with international law, to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests. The United States bears full responsibility for this internationally wrongful act and for any consequences arising therefrom, including its impact on regional and international peace and security.
Given that this unlawful action poses a grave threat to international peace and security and obviously exacerbates the risk of escalation in an already highly volatile region, the Islamic Republic of Iran calls upon the Secretary-General and the Security Council to discharge their responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations by unequivocally condemning this unlawful measure, taking urgent and effective steps to prevent further escalation with potentially catastrophic consequences for regional and international peace and security, and urging the United States to put an immediate end to its internationally wrongful acts against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
