The United States has warned Iran at the United Nations Security Council against any actions targeting the US or Israel, following escalating tensions in the Middle East. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to the deadly cycle of tit-for-tat violence, emphasising that time is running out.
The 15-member Council convened after Israel’s military operation that resulted in the death of Hezbollah’s leader and subsequent Iranian missile attacks on Israel, raising concerns of a broader conflict in the region.
US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, stated, “Our actions have been defensive in nature,” and made it clear that the Iranian regime would be held accountable for its actions. She warned against Iran and its proxies taking any actions against the US or further actions against Israel.
French UN Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere emphasised the need for the Security Council to demonstrate unity and advocate for de-escalation. Thomas-Greenfield also urged the Council to condemn Iran’s attack and impose serious consequences on the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) for its alleged support of terrorism and violation of Council resolutions.
In response to Iran’s missile attack, Guterres condemned the aggression. Earlier in the day, Israel’s Foreign Minister announced that Guterres would be barred from entering Israel due to his failure to unequivocally condemn Iran’s actions.
Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia praised Iran for showing exceptional restraint in recent months, arguing that the missile attack could not be viewed in isolation from the broader context of conflicts in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, and Yemen. He warned that this situation could lead to a dangerous escalation of conflict across the region.
Iran, in a letter to the Security Council, justified its missile strike as an act of self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, citing Israel’s aggressive actions and violations of Iranian sovereignty. Iran claimed its strikes were compliant with international humanitarian law, targeting only military and security installations.
In contrast, Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon rejected Iran’s justification, labelling the missile strikes as a calculated attack on a civilian population. He assured that Israel would respond decisively and in accordance with international law to any acts of aggression.