Tensions escalate at the UN following US-led strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Russia, China, and Pakistan propose a resolution for an immediate ceasefire, while the US and Israel defend their actions. UN Secretary-General Guterres warns of potential retaliatory spirals. The IAEA highlights damage at critical facilities, indicating serious implications for regional stability.
Tensions have reached alarming heights at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) following military action by the United States against Iranian nuclear facilities. This emergency session convened to address concerns raised by member states about the strikes, which have raised serious fears of escalating conflict in the Middle East. Neither side is backing down, with the US and Israel praising the operation while Iran and its allies condemn the actions.
A draft resolution has surfaced, proposed by Russia, China, and Pakistan, calling for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire”. Notably, while it does not name the US or Israel directly as aggressors, it explicitly condemns the attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities. However, the proposal faces challenges; to pass, it would need nine votes and must avoid vetoes from permanent members, which is unlikely since the US would not support a measure that criticizes itself.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concerns, stating that the region is perched at a “brink of a deadly downward spiral.” He emphasized the urgency of halting violence and shifting back to negotiations concerning the Iran nuclear program. “The bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States marks a perilous turn in a region that is already reeling,” Guterres asserted, warning against a cycle of retaliation.
During the session, acting US ambassador Dorothy Shea justified the military action as a necessary step to dismantle Iran’s enrichment capabilities and ensure the safety of American citizens and allies. “The time finally came for the United States… to act decisively,” Shea stated, adding that any Iranian aggression would result in severe retaliation.
In contrast, Iran’s ambassador, Ali Bahreini, criticized the strike, describing it as driven by the US’s and its European partners’ politically motivated actions. He warned that Iran would decide the timeframe and nature of its response, indicating a readiness to retaliate.
On the other hand, Israel’s representative, UN envoy Danny Danon, applauded the actions, saying they have made the world “a safer place” while dodging questions about potential regime change in Tehran.
Chinese ambassador Fu Cong called for restraint and an immediate ceasefire, underscoring China’s concerns about the escalating situation. Meanwhile, Russia’s envoy Vasily Nebenzya characterized the US strikes as indicative of Washington’s blatant disregard for international standards. “The US has opened a Pandora’s box,” he remarked.
Pakistan’s ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad condemned the airstrikes as profoundly troubling and expressed solidarity with Iran, marking a moment of regional tension compounded by previous suggestions for US President Donald Trump to receive a Nobel Peace Prize, in a notable juxtaposition.
The military actions mark the most serious Western intervention against Iran since 1979. Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), addressed the Council, noting that while the full extent of damage remains uncertain, evidence of destruction was visible at key Iranian facilities, further complicating the regional situation. Iran has accused the IAEA of being complicit in the US and Israel’s military action following the Board of Governors’ resolution that accused Iran of non-compliance with nuclear safeguards just before the attacks began.
The situation at the United Nations underscores the escalating tensions resulting from the US military actions against Iran. With significant diplomatic efforts now required to avoid further conflict, the world watches closely as key players, including the US, Russia, and China, navigate this precarious landscape. The calls for ceasefire and diplomacy reflect a collective desire for stability in a region teetering on the edge of conflict.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
