Iran Lodges Complaint After Trump Claims He Was in Full Control of June War
Iranian officials reacted sharply after the U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that he was “very much in charge” of Israel’s June 13 attack on Iran.
Iranian officials reacted sharply after the U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that he was “very much in charge” of Israel’s June 13 attack on Iran. Iranian officials called the remarks an explicit admission of U.S. operational leadership in an assault that they say caused civilian casualties, infrastructure destruction, and damage to safeguarded nuclear facilities. In response, Tehran has launched a coordinated diplomatic and legal campaign at the United Nations, demanding full material and moral compensation from Washington and accusing the United States of violating international law.
Speaking to reporters last week, President Trump stated “Israel attacked first. That attack was very, very powerful. I was very much in charge of that. When Israel attacked Iran first, that was a great day for Israel, because that attack did more damage than the rest of them put together.”
Notably, the U.S. was careful to distance itself from the strikes when they were underway. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio stated at the time:
“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”
In response, Amir Saeed Iravani, Iran’s Permanent Representative to the UN, submitted a formal letter to the UN Security Council asserting that the United States and Israel bear full and joint responsibility for what he called an “illegal military aggression” against Iran. Iravani cited Trump’s November 7 press conference, during which Trump said he had been responsible and that Israel acted under his full control. Tehran argues that these statements are clear evidence of direct U.S. involvement.
In his letter, Iravani described Trump’s remarks as “clear and undeniable proof” of U.S. participation, leadership, and command responsibility in “designing, directing, and facilitating” the assault. Iran noted the attack resulted in civilian deaths, injuries, and serious damage to civilian and nuclear infrastructure. Iravani demanded “full reparation and complete compensation” for victims and national losses.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also sent a detailed letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, formally demanding compensation for all material and moral damages caused during the twelve-day conflict. Araghchi called the joint U.S.–Israeli strikes a “flagrant violation of the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions.” Citing Trump’s statements, he argued that the United States is obligated to make full reparation under international law. He stressed that the compensation claim “does not diminish the criminal responsibility” of Israeli commanders and officials whom Iran accuses of war crimes.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, intensified the accusation by calling Trump’s comments an “explicit admission” of U.S. involvement and an “irrefutable document” proving Washington’s “active complicity” in Israel’s operations. He argued that the United States must be “held accountable” for a “blatant violation of the UN Charter.”
Inside Iran, high-ranking officials followed suit. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Parliament, condemned Trump’s remarks and insisted the United States “must accept the legal, political, and military consequences” of the attack. President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran seeks “peace and security,” but will not “live in humiliation,” emphasizing Iran’s readiness for dialogue within international law.
These tensions coincide with a harder strategic tone from Tehran. Ali Larijani, newly appointed Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, warned that Iran would “stand up to the United States with full strength—even if it leads to confrontation.” He accused Washington of hegemony-seeking and said U.S. threats will not weaken Iran’s “national will.” Larijani added that despite Iran’s longstanding desire to resolve sanctions issues, there has been “no recent contact with the United States.” Larijani also described stalled diplomatic efforts before the recent UN General Assembly, saying Western powers insisted on activating the “snapback” mechanism—the rapid reimposition of UN sanctions under Resolution 2231. According to Iranian officials, Tehran had invited the United States to join a meeting with JCPOA participants, but Washington declined.
Whether Trump’s words were an admission or empty boast, they have heightened the animosity between the U.S. and Iran and served to solidify the diplomatic standoff. In this era of weakened international rules and norms, even if Iran’s complaints are valid, they are unlikely to do much more than spur some degree of sympathy from like-minded actors in the international system. Meanwhile, any move to break the impasse and engage in renewed negotiations with the United States will likely face even stiffer domestic opposition inside Iran.