U.N. Security Council Emergency Meeting Sees U.S. and Israel Reject U.N. Calls Amidst Tensions

The United States and Israel engaged in a confrontation with Iran during an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council on Saturday. During the meeting, the U.N. chief and numerous member states called for an end to hostilities and a return to negotiations to prevent the conflict from escalating further within the region and beyond.

Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the council, emphasizing the need to do everything possible to avert an escalation. He cautioned, “The alternative is a potential wider conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability.”

Guterres stated that the airstrikes conducted by the U.S. and Israel contravened international law, including the U.N. Charter. He also denounced Iran’s retaliatory attacks, deeming them violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, asserted that the U.S. military actions were lawful.

“Iran cannot possess a nuclear weapon,” he declared to the council. “This principle is not a political matter; it is a matter of global security. To that end, the United States is undertaking lawful actions.”

Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon defended the airstrikes as a necessary measure to counter an existential threat.

“We are halting extremism before it becomes unstoppable,” he stated. “We will ensure that no radical regime armed with nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles can pose a threat to our people or the entire world.”

Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the U.N., informed the council that the airstrikes had resulted in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of Iranian civilians, which he characterized as a war crime and a crime against humanity.

He criticized the U.N. and the Security Council, its most influential body, for not heeding Tehran’s prior warnings regarding the “warmongering statements” made by the U.S. in recent weeks and urged the council to take immediate action.

“The issue before the council is clear: whether any member state, including a permanent member of this council, can, through the use of force, coercion, or aggression, dictate the political future or system of another state or exert control over its affairs,” Iravani remarked.

During his address, the Iranian diplomat did not mention or comment on President Donald Trump’s assertion that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in the strikes, though Iranian state media later confirmed his death. The assassination of the Islamic Republic’s second-highest leader, who had no designated successor, heightened the possibility of a prolonged conflict given Iran’s threats of retaliation.

Iranian and US ambassadors have tense back-and-forth

In a rare exchange, the U.S. and Iranian ambassadors exchanged warnings and direct rebukes towards the conclusion of the emergency session, as military aggression between their nations risked escalating into a regional war.

Following Waltz’s response to Iranian accusations that the U.S. had violated international law, Iravani requested to speak again to issue a warning: “I advise the representative of the United States to be polite. It will be better for yourself and the country you represent.”

Waltz responded promptly, stating, “This representative sits here, in this body, representing a regime that has killed tens of thousands of its own people, and imprisoned many more, simply for wanting freedom from your entire tyranny.”

Other Security Council members speak up

Russia’s ambassador condemned the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, while China’s ambassador offered a more measured critique.

“We demand that the United States and Israel immediately cease their aggressive actions,” stated Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia. “We insist on the immediate resumption of political and diplomatic settlement efforts… based on international law, mutual respect, and a balance of interests.”

China’s U.N. Ambassador Fu Cong expressed that China was deeply concerned by “the sudden escalation of regional tensions” and supported Russia’s call for a return to diplomatic negotiations.

The permanent observer of the 22-nation Arab League, Maged Abdelaziz, suggested that Israel was being hypocritical in justifying its military attack by claiming it was intended to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Abdelaziz, a former Egyptian ambassador to the U.N., pointed out that Israel has refused to submit its own nuclear facilities to inspection by the U.N. nuclear watchdog.

The emergency meeting was convened at the request of five council members: Bahrain, which serves as the Arab representative on the council, France, Russia, China, and Colombia.

In a joint statement, the leaders of Britain and France—both permanent members with veto power on the council—along with Germany’s chancellor, called for a resumption of U.S.-Iranian talks concerning Tehran’s nuclear program. These three nations, part of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, have been at the forefront of efforts to achieve a negotiated resolution. The U.S. withdrew from the deal in 2018 under President Trump.

The three European leaders strongly condemned the Iranian airstrikes in the region—not the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes—and urged Iran’s leaders to pursue a negotiated solution, stating: “Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future.”

The Security Council meeting is taking place on the final day of the United Kingdom’s presidency and one day before the United States assumes the rotating presidency for the month of March.

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Amiri reported from Atlanta.