In a diplomatic flare-up between Israel and Iran at the United Nations this week, Iran's deputy U.N. ambassador, Eshagh Al Habib, on Monday sent a letter of complaint to the Security Council claiming that Israel was presenting it with fabricated evidence about the Islamic republic's ballistic missile program.
"Israel is conveying false and fake information to the Security Council … in order to negatively influence the council's reporting mechanism," Habib wrote. He added that by doing so, Israel was "disrespecting the U.N. and making a mockery of the Security Council's work."
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Habib alleged that 18 letters sent by Israel to the Security Council since July 2015 – which detailed Iranian violations pertaining to its nuclear and ballistic missile programs – contained distorted information.
"The Israeli regime is methodically disseminating falsehoods against the Islamic republic as part of its efforts to play the victim and whitewash the crimes … it is perpetrating against the Palestinians and others in the region," Habib claimed. The Iranian diplomat also accused Israel of "committing crimes against humanity and war crimes while violating Security Council resolutions and international law."
Israel's diplomatic mission to the U.N. rejected the Iranian accusations outright.
"Tehran is sweating under the pressure – and justifiably so," said Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the U.N. "We will continue to find what they [the Iranians] try to hide and to expose the lies they spread. Thanks to Israel's actions, Iran's deceptions are being shown to the international community" and pressure around the regime in Teheran is intensifying.
"The Iranian house of lies will crumble sooner or later," Danon said.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, meanwhile, said Tuesday that Iran will continue resisting U.S. economic and political pressure, and vowed that Tehran would not be "deceived" by U.S. President Donald Trump's offer of negotiations and would not give up its missile program.
Khamenei addressed thousands of people on the 30th anniversary of the death of Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic republic, in Khomeini's mausoleum in the capital Tehran.
Without referring to the U.S. by name, Khamenei said, "Standing and resisting the enemy's excessive demands and bullying is the only way to stop him."
Tensions between Washington and Tehran soared recently over America's deployment of an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf over threats from Tehran.
Last year, the U.S. withdrew from a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers and re-imposed sanctions on Iran targeting the country's oil sector.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the U.S. is willing to talk with Iran "with no preconditions." Iran says the U.S. must return to the deal first.
Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters, said the U.S. is treating Iran with hostility because "they want us to be losers and put our hands up as a sign of surrender, and because we don't do that, they threaten us."
Khamenei added: "Resistance has a cost, but the cost of surrendering to the enemy is higher."
Khamenei urged Iranian officials not to pay attention to offers for negotiations made by the U.S.
"Wherever Americans have set foot, a war broke out, a fratricide began, sedition was instigated, or and exploitation or colonialism began there," he said.
The ayatollah added that Iran is under pressure to negotiate over its missile program because it has been developed to the point where it is a deterrent.
In his speech, Khamenei also criticized Iran's regional rival, Saudi Arabia, for taking a stance against Iran in accordance with the U.S. position.
Saudi Arabia recently held a series of summits with Muslim countries and accused Iran of threatening regional stability and security. Saudi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf said Muslim nations must confront recent attacks blamed on Iran with "all means of force and firmness."
Iran rejected the accusation.
