The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held an emergency meeting following recent airstrikes by the United States on Iranian nuclear sites. The strikes, which have drawn sharp criticism from several countries, have reignited calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East. In contrast, the US and its ally Israel have praised the military action.
Russia, China, and Pakistan have put forward a resolution that calls for an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire." Although the resolution does not directly mention the US or Israel, it explicitly condemns the attacks on Iranian facilities. As of now, a vote on this resolution has not been scheduled.
To pass the resolution, it needs support from at least nine members of the UNSC and must avoid vetoes from any of the five permanent members, which include the US. Given that the US is unlikely to vote against itself, the resolution faces significant challenges.
During the UNSC meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed serious concerns about the escalating tensions in the region. He described the situation as precarious, warning that the bombing could lead to a cycle of retaliation. Guterres emphasized the need for urgent action to halt the violence and return to negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
Acting US Ambassador Dorothy Shea defended the airstrikes, stating that they were necessary to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities and protect both American citizens and allies. She warned that any Iranian retaliation would be met with severe consequences.
Iran’s ambassador, Ali Bahreini, criticized the US and Israel’s actions, claiming they were politically motivated and undermined diplomatic efforts. He indicated that Iran would determine how and when to respond to the attacks.
Israel’s UN representative, Danny Danon, supported the strikes, claiming they made the world safer. He refrained from commenting on whether Israel supports regime change in Iran, stating that it is a decision for the Iranian people.
China’s ambassador, Fu Cong, condemned the US strikes and called for restraint, expressing deep concern about the potential for the situation to spiral out of control. Similarly, Russia’s UN envoy, Vasily Nebenzya, criticized the US for disregarding global norms and warned of the unpredictable consequences of its actions.
Pakistan’s ambassador, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, also condemned the US bombing, labeling it a troubling escalation of violence and expressing solidarity with Iran.
This military action marks a significant increase in Western military involvement in Iran since the 1979 revolution. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, reported visible damage to several key Iranian nuclear sites, although the full extent of the destruction remains unclear.
The IAEA had recently declared that Iran was not complying with international nuclear safeguards, a development that preceded Israel’s initial attack on June 13. Iran has accused the IAEA of enabling the US and Israel to carry out their military actions.