At the UN Security Council meeting convened after the launch of projectiles against Israel, Iran has framed the attack within the “exercise of the inherent right of self-defense.” Israel, for its part, says it reserves the legal right to respond.
The Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterreshas condemned Iran’s launch of projectiles against Israel and the attacks against the Iranian Consulate in Damascus and has called on both countries to “step back” in escalation because “the world cannot afford more war.
“The time has come to take a step back. It is vital to avoid any action that could provoke a large-scale military confrontation on multiple fronts in the Middle East,” said Guterres during his speech before the UN Security Council called in response to the Iranian attack.
He also recalled that the 1970 Declaration of Friendly Relations “prohibits the use of force in retaliatory acts“. The Declaration was approved by the UN General Assembly, a text focused on the self-determination of peoples in the midst of the decolonization stage, but which also refers to the fact that “all States must avoid resorting to the threat of use or use of violence against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State in its international relations.”
The head of the UN has also recalled the need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip because “civilians are the ones who pay the highest price” in these conflicts and has called for the “immediate release of all hostages.” He has also mentioned the “shared responsibility” to stop the violence in the occupied West Bank and reduce tension on the Blue Line that serves as the border between Israel and Lebanon.
“We have a common responsibility to work for peace (…). Neither the region nor the world can afford more war,” concluded Guterres.
The session has been convened at the request of Israel in response to the launch of “more than 200” projectiles against its territory in retaliation for the bombing on April 1, Iranian Consulate in Damascus, Syria, where 16 people died, including senior leaders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. In it Iranian attack on Israel No have been accounted for deceased.
The representative of Iran before the UN, Amir Saed Iravani, and his Syrian counterpart, Qusay al Dahhak, have defended Tehran’s attack against Israeli territory before the United Nations Security Council. “Iran’s operation was carried out entirely in the exercise of the inherent right of self-defense. This completed action has been necessary and proportionate. It was precise and only directed against military objectives, and was carried out carefully to minimize the possibility of escalation and avoid harm to the civilian population,” declared Iravani during his speech.
The Iranian diplomat thanked the Council countries that condemned the Israeli attack in Damascus while criticizing United States, France and the United Kingdom for “turning a blind eye” by avoiding rejecting it and for “trying to manipulate the narrative” after condemning the Iranian attack.
“In hypocritical behavior, these three countries have falsely blamed and accused Iran (…), have tried unsuccessfully to use lies, manipulate the narrative, spread disinformation and engage in a destructive blame game. At the same time, they have ignored deliberately violates Iran’s inherent right to respond to the violation of a fundamental principle of International Law: the inviolability of diplomatic representatives and premises,” he added.
On the other hand, he has insisted that Tehran does not intend to seek an escalation of tensions or a war, although he has warned that it will respond to any Israeli response “when necessary.”
Al Dahhak (Syria), for its part, has shown its support for Iran for the “correct and effective exercise of the legitimate right to self-defense” in response to the “persistence of the Israeli occupation in its crimes” and for the passivity of the Security Council after the veto of the United States, France and the United Kingdom to issue a condemnation for the attack against the Consulate.
For his part, the ambassador of Israel before the UN, Gilad Erdan, has said that his country reserves the right to retaliate: “This attack crossed all red lines and Israel reserves the legal right to respond. We are not the frog in the boiling water: we are a nation of lions,” he assured.
Source: Eitb
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