Secretary-Normal of the United Nations, António Guterres. File
| Picture Credit score: ANI
The United Nations chief condemned the U..S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on Saturday (February 28, 2026) and known as for an instantaneous return to negotiations “to tug the area, and our world, again from the brink.” Secretary-Normal António Guterres instructed an emergency assembly of the UN Safety Council that all the things have to be achieved to forestall additional escalation. “The choice,” he warned, “is a possible wider battle with grave penalties for civilians and regional stability.”
Mr. Guterres stated the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes violated worldwide regulation, together with the UN Constitution. He additionally condemned Iran’s retaliatory assaults for violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, insisted the U.S. army motion was lawful.
“Iran can not have a nuclear weapon,” he instructed the council. “That precept just isn’t a matter of politics. It is a matter of worldwide safety. And to that finish, america is taking lawful actions.” Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon defended the airstrikes as essential to cease an existential menace.
“We’re stopping extremism earlier than it turns into unstoppable,” he stated. “We are going to make sure that no radical regime armed with nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles can threaten our individuals or your entire world.” Amir Saeid Iravani, Iranian ambassador to the U.N., instructed the council that the airstrikes have killed and injured a whole lot of Iranian civilians, which he known as a ‘struggle crime’ and against the law in opposition to humanity.
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He blasted the UN and the Safety Council, its strongest physique, for not heeding Tehran’s warnings in regards to the “warmongering statements” by the U.S. in latest weeks and urged the council to behave now.
“The difficulty earlier than the council is easy: whether or not any member state could, together with a everlasting member of this council, via the usage of drive, coercion or aggression, decide the political future or system of one other state or impose management over its affairs,” Mr. Iravani stated.
Throughout his speech, the Iranian diplomat didn’t point out or touch upon statements from U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed within the strikes. The assassination of the second chief of the Islamic Republic, who had no designated successor, raised the prospects of a protracted battle given Iranian threats of retaliation.
Russia’s ambassador condemned the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, whereas China’s ambassador was extra measured in his criticism.
“We demand that america and Israel instantly stop their aggressive actions,” Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia stated. “We insist on the quick resumption of political and diplomatic settlement efforts … based mostly on worldwide regulation, mutual respect and a steadiness of pursuits.” China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong stated China was very involved by “the sudden escalation of regional tensions” and supported Russia’s name for a return to diplomatic negotiations.
5 council members — Bahrain, which is the Arab consultant on the council, France, Russia, China and Colombia — known as for the emergency assembly.
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In a joint assertion, the leaders of Britain and France — each veto-wielding members of the council — together with Germany’s chancellor known as for a resumption of US-Iranian talks on Tehran’s nuclear program. The three international locations, a part of the 2015 nuclear cope with Iran, have led efforts to achieve a negotiated answer. Trump pulled the US out of the deal in 2018.
The three European leaders strongly condemned Iranian airstrikes within the area — not the US-Israeli airstrikes — and urged Iran’s leaders to hunt a negotiated answer, saying: “In the end, the Iranian individuals have to be allowed to find out their future.” The Safety Council assembly is happening on the final day of the UK’s presidency and a day earlier than america takes over the rotating presidency for the month of March. (AP) RD RD
Revealed – March 01, 2026 06:47 am IST