4:39 p.m. ET, June 20, 2019
Iran says US drone was "blatant violation of international law"
From CNN's Richard Roth
Iran said the US drone they shot down was a “blatant violation of international law,” calling on the international community to demand the US end “its continued unlawful and destabilizing measure in the already volatile region of the Persian Gulf.”
In a new letter to the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres and United Nations Security Council, Majid Takht Ravanchi, Iran's ambassador to the UN, wrote:
“While the Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek war, it reserves its inherent right, under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, to take all appropriate necessary measures against any hostile act violating its territory, and is determined to vigorously defend its land, sea and air."
Ravanchi added: “Iran condemns, in the strongest possible terms, this irresponsible and provocative wrongful act by the United States, which entails its international responsibility.”
Earlier today, the UN secretary general said he was very concerned about developments in the Gulf region, including the reported downing of a US drone by Iran.
“He appeals to all sides to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any action that can escalate the already tense situation,” his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.