Following the escalation of conflicts between Iran and Israel, an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council was held on Friday evening, June 20; a meeting that displayed reactions and clear disagreements among world powers.
At the beginning of the meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the military confrontation between Iran and Israel is escalating at an alarming rate and its consequences may encompass the entire region.
Iran, Israel Envoys Face Off
The Israeli envoy accused Iran of having a “genocidal agenda” and called the recent attacks on Iranian soil “the last resort to contain the nuclear threat.”
In contrast, Amir Saeed Iravani, Iran’s UN envoy, called the Israeli attacks “deliberate and unjustified” and warned that the Security Council’s inaction would be seen as ignoring the body’s responsibilities.
World Powers’ Reaction
British envoy Barbara Woodward described the situation as “a dangerous moment for the entire region” and called for compliance with international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians.
The French envoy also called the escalation of tensions a serious threat to regional security and called for Iran to return to its nuclear commitments and cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The Chinese envoy took a different stance, condemning Israel’s attack on Iran as a violation of international law. He called for an immediate return to diplomatic talks.
The US representative, on the other hand, called Iran the main source of instability and terrorism in the region, but stressed that Washington had no role in the recent attacks and supported Israel’s right to defend itself.
The Pakistani representative also condemned the Israeli attack, saying that the continuation of these conflicts is not only a regional crisis, but also a threat to global stability.
At the end of the meeting, the representatives of China and Pakistan called for an immediate ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
