Iran Says Energy Infrastructure Strikes Violate International Law
Iran has formally raised a complaint with the United Nations, condemning what it described as deliberate U.S.-Israeli strikes on its fuel storage infrastructure as a serious breach of international law.
In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Iran’s Petroleum Minister Mohsen Paknejad stated that the attacks on March 7 and 18, 2026, targeted key oil reserves, storage facilities, and gas refineries, forming part of ongoing military actions against the country.
Paknejad argued that the strikes represent a dangerous escalation, directly affecting Iran’s energy security and economic stability, while also causing widespread damage to civilian infrastructure and essential services.
He further warned that the attacks have led to severe environmental and human consequences, describing them as meeting the threshold of environmental crimes, including what could be classified as “ecocide.”
According to the letter, the deliberate targeting of fuel tanks violates international humanitarian law as well as global environmental commitments, and places responsibility on both the United States and Israel.
The minister called for accountability, stressing that those responsible must face international legal consequences and provide full compensation for both material and non-material damages.
Iran also urged the UN chief to strongly condemn the actions and to mobilize the international community to take concrete steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The developments come amid escalating tensions following a large-scale conflict that began on February 28, despite ongoing indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington over Iran’s nuclear program.
