Iran has accused the United Nations Security Council of failing to act against what Tehran described as an unprovoked attack by the United States and Israel.

Speaking before the council, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, criticised the international body for what he called its inability to respond to escalating tensions.

“Regrettably, the Security Council has failed to discharge its responsibilities in the face of this grave violation due to the obstruction of a permanent member that is itself an aggressor,” Iravani said.

He added that “the United States and the Israeli regime, and those who assisted and facilitated this aggression, must bear full legal and international responsibility for this heinous crime and serious violations.”

“Impunity for such crimes not only betrays the victims, but also threatens international peace and security,” he told delegates.

Iravani also urged the council not to ignore threats directed at Iran by US President Donald Trump.

He said the Security Council “must not remain silent or indifferent to the repeated and daily baseless threats made by the president of the United States against Iran”.

Iravani added that Trump’s rhetoric “sets a dangerous precedent”.