Iran’s UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, defended the attack as self-defense. — © Getty Images via AFP
Iran “has had no choice but to exercise its right to self-defense.” The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations said this on Sunday (local time) during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that was convened after the Iranian attack on Israel.
“The Security Council has failed in its duty to maintain international peace and security” by not condemning the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said on Sunday. “Under those circumstances, the Islamic Republic of Iran has had no choice but to exercise its right to self-defense,” he stated. He assured that Iran did not want an escalation but would respond to “any threat or aggression.”
Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan called during the emergency meeting to “impose all possible sanctions on Iran before it is too late.” Erdan had written to the current president of the UN Security Council, Vanessa Frazier of Malta, requesting an emergency hearing.
Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan showed a video of the attack. — © REUTERS
Israel is demanding that the UN Security Council condemn the attack and designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization. “The Iranian attack poses a serious threat to global peace and security and I expect the Council to use all means to take concrete action against Iran,” Erdan wrote.
On the night from Saturday to Sunday, Iran launched “more than 300 drones and missiles” in the direction of Israel, which was repelled by “99 percent”, according to Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari. According to Iran, it was a retaliatory attack, which was called ‘Honest Promise’, including for the Israeli airstrike on an annex of the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus. It was the Islamic Republic’s first frontal attack on its arch-enemy.
“The world cannot afford another war”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guteress called for “maximum restraint” during the emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. “The Middle East is on the brink of the abyss. The people of the region face a real danger of widespread, devastating conflict,” Guterres said. “It is vital to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East,” he added. “Neither the region nor the world can afford another war.”
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guteress. — © Getty Images via AFP
The UN chief once again condemned Iran’s attack on Israel, calling it a “serious escalation.” He also again condemned the Israeli bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus, referring to the “principle of inviolability” of diplomatic branches. He further called again for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas since October 7.