Iran's ambassador to the United Nations condemned the US military operation against Venezuela as state terrorism and a violation of international law during an emergency Security Council meeting, Mehr reported on January 5.

Amir Saeid Iravani said the operation represented a clear violation of Articles 2(4) and 2(7) of the UN Charter and constituted a full-scale act of aggression. He described the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores as a serious violation of customary international law, including principles relating to immunity granted to heads of state and government.

"This illegal action is a clear example of state terrorism, a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, and is considered a full-scale aggressive act," Iravani said at the Security Council session.

The Iranian envoy called on the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, to take urgent action to stop what he termed illegal aggression and ensure accountability of all those responsible. Iran reiterated its complete support for the people and elected government of Venezuela.

Iravani accused the United States of attempting to replace international law with its own domestic legislation, warning this approach threatens the fundamental basis of the international legal order. He said the declared policy of "peace through strength" prescribes the law of the jungle rather than the rule of law.

"In recent days, the US president has repeatedly made public threats to use force against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is a clear violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter," Iravani said.

The ambassador accused Washington of hypocrisy in claiming to support Iranian people whilst maintaining a record of interference and unilateral coercive measures against Iran.

"The United States, whilst shedding crocodile tears for the Iranian people, hypocritically claims to support them, whilst having a clear record of interference, use of force and illegal unilateral coercive actions against Iran," Iravani said.

Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty on January 5 to drug trafficking and weapons charges in a New York federal court, their first appearance since being seized in a US military operation over the weekend.

"I'm innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the president of my country," the 63-year-old Maduro told the court through an interpreter, according to US media present in the courtroom.

The couple appeared before the Southern District Court of New York wearing prison uniforms, with Maduro's feet shackled. They used headphones to follow the English proceedings through Spanish interpretation.