2024-04-15 00:38:22
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called on all sides to exercise extreme restraint following Iran’s first direct attack on Israel. He condemned the Iranian bombardment with drones and missiles and warned of further escalation. “The Middle East is on the brink,” Guterres said on Sunday at the Security Council meeting convened after the attack.
“The people of the region are facing the real threat of a devastating all-out conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate the situation.” Iran had threatened retaliation for an attack attributed to Israel on its embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus on April 1. On Sunday night, the Islamic Republic fired more than 300 drones and missiles towards Israel, but according to Israeli information, 99 percent of them were intercepted.
Guterres reminded member states that the United Nations (UN) Charter prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of a state.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the Iranian attack on Israel with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt. The US State Department explains that Blinken also spoke on the phone with the Turkish Foreign Minister. In the separate talks, Blinken reiterated that the US did not want any escalation. He reiterated that the USA would continue to support Israel in its defense.
Blinken also spoke with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Schukry about expanding humanitarian aid for the people in the Gaza Strip. The issue here was also the protection of the Palestinian civilian population and an immediate ceasefire to ensure the release of the Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip. Along with Qatar, the USA and Egypt are the most important mediators in the war between the Israeli military and Hamas in the Gaza Strip that has been going on for more than half a year.
U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood called on the 15-member Security Council to unequivocally condemn Iran’s attack. The committee has an obligation not to leave Iran’s actions unanswered. “In the coming days, and in consultation with other member states, the United States will consider additional measures to hold Iran accountable here at the United Nations,” Wood said. “Let me be clear: If Iran or its proxies take action against the United States or further action against Israel, Iran will be held accountable.”
Iranian UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Irawani said his country’s actions were necessary and proportionate. The government in Tehran is neither seeking escalation nor war in the region. Iran also has no intention of entering into a conflict with the USA. But his country affirms its right to self-defense. “If the United States initiates military operations against Iran, its citizens, or its security and interests, Iran will exercise its inalienable right to respond appropriately,” Irawani said.
Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan, who requested the Security Council meeting, accused Iran of violating international law. He called on the Security Council to condemn Iran, reinstate sanctions and designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. “The snooze button is no longer an option. The only option is to condemn Iran and use any means necessary to make it pay a heavy price for its terrible crimes.”
Iran made good on its threat of retaliation two weeks after the attack on its embassy compound in Damascus that killed seven officers of the powerful Revolutionary Guard. Two high-ranking commanders are also among the dead. Iran blames Israel for the attack. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied carrying out the attack.
According to authorities, a seven-year-old girl was seriously injured in the Iranian attack. According to the army, an Israeli military facility was slightly damaged.
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