Iran letter to U.N.

claims missile strikes were "self-defense"

Iran's U.N. ambassador sent a letter to the U.N. Secretary-General and the President of the
Security Council calling the missile strikes a "measured and proportionate" act of "self-defense."

The letter states that the missile strikes were targeted at the military base where the attack against
Iranian General Soleimani was launched, and said, "The operation was precise and targeted
military objectives thus leaving no collateral damage to civilians and civilian assets in the area."

The letter comes as U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said through a spokesperson that
he is concerned about the impact the conflict between the U.S. and Iran could have on the people
of Iraq.

"It is our common duty to make every effort to avoid a war in the Gulf that the world cannot
afford. We must not forget the terrible human suffering caused by war. As always, ordinary
people pay the highest price," U.N. Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters. "For the
Secretary-General, it is important that everyone respect the sovereignty and unity of Iraq."

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What Iran's citizens are hearing from state TV
News outlets in Iran on Wednesday talked up the country's Tuesday night missile launches and
downplayed President Trump's announcement that there had been no casualties in the attack.

Some local media still falsely claim that 80 Americans were killed. Hardliners are framing the
U.S.'s decision to not retaliate for the strikes as backing down.

But behind the talk, there's widespread relief in the country. Iran had made it clear that it wasn't
seeking war, although Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said the onus is now on the U.S. to stop it's
"adventurism in the region."

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