In first, Lebanon files formal UN complaint against Iran: What to know
The move comes as relations between Iran and Lebanon continue to deteriorate in light of what is perceived as ongoing Iranian interference in Lebanese affairs via its proxy group, Hezbollah.
BEIRUT — Lebanon filed a formal complaint with the United Nations against Iran over what it described as inaccurate statements related to the killing of four Iranian diplomats in Beirut in its first such diplomatic move against the Islamic Republic. The letter was submitted late last month, but the news became public on Wednesday.
What happened: Lebanon accused Iran of making inaccurate statements in its own correspondence with the UN regarding the killing of the Iranian diplomats in Israeli strikes targeting the Ramada Hotel, located at Beirut's waterfront, on March 8. The strike killed at least four people.
The Israeli military said at the time it had targeted and killed five top commanders in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, while Iran accused Israel of assassinating Iranian diplomats.
In the formal complaint, which can be found on the UN website, Lebanese ambassador to the UN Ahmad Arafa referred to two letters Iran had submitted to the UN back in March that stated the Iranian Embassy in Beirut coordinated with the Lebanese Foreign Ministry regarding the transfer of four Iranian diplomats from their residence to a hotel in Beirut after receiving Israeli threats.
