Bombing of Iran and retaliatory attacks ‘a serious threat to international peace and security’: Guterres

António Guterres described the day’s events as a serious threat to international peace and security, urging the international community to unite and pull the entire region “back from the brink.”

Mr. Guterres reminded the council that Article Two of the UN Charter states that all Member States “shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State”, and that international law and international humanitarian law must always be respected.

The military action that has roiled countries in the Middle East, the UN chief continued, carries the risk of “unleashing a series of events that no one can control in the most unstable region of the world.”

‘Return to the negotiating table’

The Secretary General reiterated that lasting peace can only be achieved through peaceful means, including genuine dialogue and negotiations, noting that the joint military operation of Israel and the United States took place after indirect talks between the US and Iran, mediated by Oman: “wasting an opportunity for diplomacy.

Mr Guterres called for de-escalation and an immediate cessation of hostilities and strongly urged all parties to immediately return to the negotiating table, especially on the future of Iran’s nuclear programme.

“I call on all Member States to strictly implement their obligations under international law, including the UN Charter, to respect and protect civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law, and to ensure nuclear safety,” he stated.

France: ‘We need Iran to fulfill its international obligations’

Jérôme Bonnafont of France called on Iran to comply with its international obligations, stressing that compliance with international law “is a prerequisite for long-term security in the region and the world.”

Ambassador Bonnafont said Iran did not take the opportunity to reach a nuclear deal but instead reduced its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.IAEA).

Russia: ‘Another unprovoked act of armed aggression’

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the US-Israeli attacks were “yet another unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent member state, in violation of the UN Charter and international law.”

This “reckless step,” he said, has led to a sharp escalation across the region, which he described as a “betrayal of diplomacy.”

China: Iran’s territorial integrity ‘must be respected’

Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong described the US-Israeli attacks as “brazen,” condemning the threat of force to settle any international dispute – and calling for respecting the “sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Iran and other regional countries.”

Ambassador Fu expressed sadness over the extensive loss of civilian lives during Saturday’s strikes and called on all parties to fulfill their obligations under international law and immediately cease military action.

He said it was “shocking” that the US-Israeli attacks came in the middle of diplomatic negotiations between the US and Iran.

United States: ‘Continued aggression’ could not be ignored

United States Ambassador Mike Waltz said the attacks on Iran were aimed at dismantling its ballistic missile capabilities, degrading maritime assets used to destabilize international waters and disrupting the machinery that arms proxy militias.

The goal, he continued, is to ensure that “the Iranian regime can never, ever threaten the world with a nuclear weapon.”

“No responsible nation can ignore continued aggression and violence.” He warned, adding that Iran’s continued pursuit of advanced missile capabilities, coupled with its refusal to give up nuclear ambitions – despite diplomatic options – poses “a serious and increasing danger.”

UK: Regional stability ‘a priority’

“This is a vulnerable moment for the Middle East,” said Ambassador James Kariuki of the United Kingdom, Council President for February. “Regional stability remains a priority,” he said, adding that British forces are active and their aircraft are in the air as part of “coordinated regional defensive operations” in accordance with international law.

“We want to see the fastest possible solution that guarantees security and stability for the region,” he continued, urging Iran to refrain from further attacks and its “terrible” behavior to allow a path back to diplomacy.

Iran: strikes ‘without legal basis’

“This morning, for the second time in recent months, the US regime – jointly and in coordination with the Israeli regime – initiated an unprovoked and premeditated aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said Iranian Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani.

“This is not just an act of aggression; it is a war crime and a crime against humanity,” he stressed, accusing the US and Israel of deliberately attacking civilian populated areas in several major cities.

“The invocation of a ‘preemptive strike’, claims of an imminent threat or other unsubstantiated political claims are legally, morally and politically unfounded,” Mr. Iravani continued, categorically rejecting the claims of the representatives of France, Britain and other Western representatives regarding Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.

Israel: Attacks ‘an act of necessity’

Israel’s attacks on Iran, Ambassador Danny Danon said, took place to “stop an existential threat before it became irreversible.”

His country had acted out of necessity because the regime left no reasonable alternative, building nuclear weapons without regard to international law, murdering its own citizens and crushing dissent, expanding missile arsenals and arming proxies across the region – all the while declaring its intention to wipe Israel off the map.

Ambassador Danon said Tehran was obliged to stop enriching uranium and allow full inspections, but failed to do so.

“They built the means to force an irreversible reality with our backs against the wall. That is not a future Israel will accept.”

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