Iran tells UN Israel attack was 'self-defense,' had 'no choice'

Iran's United Nations envoy told the Security Council Sunday that the Islamic republic was exercising its "inherent right to self-defense" in its unprecedented attack on Israel.

"The Security Council... failed in its duty to maintain international peace and security" after Israel's apparent strike on an Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier this month, Amir Saeid Iravani said.

Therefore, Tehran "had no choice" but to respond, he said, adding that his country does "not seek escalation or war," but will respond to any "threat or aggression."