Iranian ambassador claims Tehran had 'no choice'

Iran's ambassador repeated Tehran's claim that it was responding in "self-defence" after the April 1 explosion at its Damascus consulate in Syria, for which Iran blamed Israel.

"The Security Council... failed in its duty to maintain international peace and security," after that explosion, Amir Saeid Iravani said during Sunday's session.

Therefore, he said the Islamic Republic "had no choice" but to react, and described the reaction as "necessary and proportionate."

He claimed his country did not "seek escalation or war," but also warned it would respond to any "threat or aggression."

"If the US initiates military operations against Iran, its citizens, or its security and interests, Iran will use its inherent right to respond proportionately," he said.