UN Emergency Session: Iran's Attacks on Israel Spark Global Condemnation
The United Nations Security Council is set to convene an emergency session on Sunday to address Iran's drone and missile attacks on Israel, as reported by BBC.
This meeting was initiated following a request from Israel, emphasising in a formal letter that these assaults constitute a grave threat to international peace and security.
Israel asserts that Iran has breached its international obligations and has been a significant destabilising force for years, providing support to groups such as Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen.
In the letter, it is highlighted that the severity and scale of these attacks are unprecedented, flagrantly violating Israel's sovereignty, international law, and Security Council resolutions.
Simultaneously, Israel urges the Security Council to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran's principal military branch, as a terrorist organisation.
On the contrary, Iran has informed the UN Security Council that its actions were in self-defence, citing Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, and as a response to Israel's recurring military aggression.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expresses profound alarm at the very real danger of a devastating escalation across the entire region.
"I strongly condemn the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched against Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran. I call for an immediate cessation of these hostilities. I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East. I have repeatedly emphasised that neither the region nor the world can afford another war," the statement reads.
China, which has significant diplomatic and economic ties with Iran, has intervened but refrained from condemning the attacks.
In a statement issued on Sunday, China expressed deep concern about the current escalation and urged all relevant parties to remain calm and restrained to prevent further tension.
Regarding pressure on Iran, US officials, as reported by the Financial Times, stated they have seen no evidence of China pressuring Iran.
Germany strongly condemns the Iranian attack in the strongest terms possible and warns Tehran that it risks triggering a total regional war, a spokesman for Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated.
"With this irresponsible and unjustified attack, Iran risks a regional conflagration. Germany stands by Israel," the source added.
Similarly, the US, UK, and France have criticised Iran's attack on Israel, as dozens of drones and several ballistic missiles were launched toward Israeli territory in a swift assault on the night of April 13-14.
Thanks to its advanced anti-aircraft systems, Israel successfully intercepted the Iranian attack without incurring casualties or major damage.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
