NEW YORK (TV Delmarva) — During an urgent Security Council session on Saturday, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres denounced joint American-Israeli military operations against Iran and demanded an immediate shift toward diplomatic talks “to pull the region, and our world, back from the brink.”
Speaking to council members during the emergency gathering, Guterres emphasized that all possible measures must be taken to avoid further military escalation. “The alternative,” he cautioned, “is a potential wider conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability.”
The UN leader also criticized Iran’s counter-strikes for breaching the sovereignty and territorial boundaries of Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon dismissed criticism of the airstrikes as “hypocrisy” when speaking with media representatives prior to the session. Danon argued that Iran bears responsibility for its regional proxy forces and nuclear weapons development, stating that Israel and America responded “to prevent an irreversible and immediate threat.”
The military operation against Iran resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Associated Press reporting. The killing of the Islamic Republic’s second leader, who had not named a successor, has heightened concerns about extended conflict amid Iranian vows of retaliation. President Donald Trump posted on social media that Khamenei’s death represents “the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.”
In correspondence to the secretary-general, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused America and Israel of “flagrantly” breaching Iran’s sovereignty, territorial boundaries and the UN Charter. Araghchi stated Iran was using its charter-protected right to self-defense in its response.
The foreign minister pressed council members “to take the necessary and immediate measures to halt this unlawful use of force and to ensure accountability.” He also demanded clear condemnation of “this act of aggression … as it undoubtedly poses an unprecedented threat to regional as well as global peace and security.”
The emergency session was requested by five council members: Bahrain, serving as the Arab council representative, along with France, Russia, China and Colombia.
Leaders from Britain and France, both holding Security Council veto power, joined Germany’s chancellor in a joint declaration urging renewed American-Iranian discussions regarding Tehran’s nuclear activities. These three nations, signatories to the 2015 Iranian nuclear agreement, have spearheaded diplomatic resolution efforts. Trump withdrew American participation from that accord in 2018.
The European leaders issued strong criticism of Iranian regional airstrikes — rather than the American-Israeli operations — and pressed Iranian officials toward negotiated settlements, declaring: “Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future.”
The Security Council convened on the final day of the United Kingdom’s council presidency, one day before the United States assumes the rotating March leadership role.
