The United Nations Security Council convened in emergency session following the Iranian attack on Israel. The US, UK and France argued that the attacks should not go unanswered. Russia and China questioned why there was no reaction to the attack on the Iranian Embassy. Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN said, “If a diplomatic mission of a Western country was hit, you would immediately talk about revenge.”
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting upon the call of Israel. During the meeting, the tension between the 5 permanent members of the United Nations drew attention. While the US, UK and France condemned Iran and supported Israel, representatives of Russia and China questioned why there was no reaction to Israel’s strike on Iran’s mission in Damascus.
USA CALLS ON IRAN
US Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Robert Wood began his speech by condemning Iran and argued that the UN Security Council should take action against Iran.
“TEHRAN MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE”
“Iran’s reckless behavior poses a threat not only to the people of Israel, but also to the people of other UN member states in the region, such as Jordan and Iraq. The Security Council has an obligation to ensure that Iran’s actions do not go unanswered.”
Wood argued that Iran threatens international security by using its affiliates in the region, such as Hezbollah and the Houthis, and stated that Iran’s actions that increase tension in the region should be closely monitored and Iran should be held accountable before the UNSC.
UK AND FRANCE SUPPORT ISRAEL
Britain’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Barbara Woodward, also condemned Iran for its attacks on Israel and argued that Tehran should be held accountable for these attacks.
Nicolas de Riviere, France’s Permanent Representative to the UN, also expressed full support for Israel and strongly condemned Iran. The French representative stated that they will make efforts to hold Iran accountable before the UNSC.
RUSSIA REFERS TO DAMASCUS ATTACK
On the other hand, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia raised the issue of the Iranian diplomatic mission targeted by Israel in Damascus last week.
Nebenzia reminded that the shooting of any country’s diplomatic mission is a clear violation of relevant international agreements, but when they raised this issue in the UNSC, the US, UK and France blocked the resolution of condemnation.
“IF IT WAS DONE TO THE WEST, YOU WOULD TALK ABOUT REVENGE”
“What we are seeing now is that an attack on a diplomatic mission is a casus belli (an act of war) under international law. If a diplomatic mission of a Western country was hit, you would immediately talk about revenge.”
Nebenzia argued that the UNSC is applying double standards in its treatment of Iran and Israel, and expressed the view that Iran is acting in self-defense.
CHINA ISRAEL’S ATTACK A BLATANT VIOLATION OF THE LAW
China’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Zhang Jun, argued that the Israeli attack on the Iranian diplomatic mission was a clear violation of international law and that the Iranian counter-attack was worrisome in terms of “increasing tensions in the region”.
