Iranian FM at UNSC warns ‘Israel’ against further adventurism

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian asserted at the UN Security Council meeting on “the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question” in New York on Thursday that the Israeli government must be compelled to cease any additional military actions that undermine Iran’s interests.

“Iran’s rightful defense and retaliatory actions have reached their limit. Hence, the Israeli government should be compelled to refrain from engaging in further military interventions that threaten Iran’s interests,” he stressed.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Amir-Abdollahian expressed frustration over the lack of practical results from previous Security Council meetings, which aimed to address Israeli war crimes and genocide in Gaza.

Despite multiple resolutions and appeals for an immediate ceasefire, the violence persists, despite mass civilian casualties, widespread destruction, and forced displacement in Gaza, he further stressed.

Amir-Abdollahian highlighted the global outcry against the war and genocide, noting ongoing protests worldwide, including in Europe and the United States. 

He also condemned the Israeli regime for its continued brutality, citing the death toll of over 34,000 Palestinian civilians, mostly women and children, and the destruction of residential areas, hospitals, mosques, and cultural sites. Additionally, he denounced the targeting of aid convoys and workers, including the killing of World Central Kitchen personnel.

Iran condemns the attack on diplomatic premises 

Amir-Abdollahian denounced the attack on the Iranian diplomatic premises in Damascus on April 1, stating that it violated the fundamental principle of immunity for such places and individuals, as well as the Vienna Conventions.

He emphasized that the attack, as declared by the majority of Security Council members on April 2, constituted a clear violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and thus warranted strong condemnation.

The top Iranian diplomat expressed regret that despite official and repeated requests, the Security Council had failed to take action in the past months to prevent further attacks by the Israeli regime on Iran’s interests, centers, and military advisors. He attributed this inaction to the behavior of the United States, the UK, and France, labeling it as unfortunate and completely irresponsible.

“No member state  — I repeat — “member state” will remain silent in the face of such a brazen and serious military attack on its Embassy, which is considered a symbol of its sovereignty as well as the killing of its legal, official, and diplomat agents,” he stressed.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran, which until recently had shown considerable restraint against other terrorist missile attacks bearing in mind the dire situation in the region and willing to give the role of the United Nations a chance to prevent the escalation of the conflict, was faced with the continuation of the White House’s green light granted to the Israeli regime as well as the continued inaction of the Security Council in preventing these attacks. Therefore it could no longer be patient against the attack on its Embassy and the attack on its sovereignty,” he added.

Amir-Abdollahian reiterated that Iran’s military action on April 13 was necessary because there were no other viable options available, adding that it was conducted in response to a series of attacks and ongoing aggressions by the Israeli regime, particularly targeting Iran’s embassy in Syria.

The action was carried out as per Iran’s legitimate right to self-defense under international law, and it strictly adhered to the principle of avoiding civilian casualties and areas, he said.

The top Iranian diplomat detailed that the attack specifically targeted two military bases involved in the assault on Iran’s embassy, ensuring a limited and proportionate response.

In the same context, Amir-Abdollahian affirmed that Iran’s legitimate defense measures have concluded, and the Israeli regime must cease any further military actions against Iranian centers, assets, and interests. However, he warned that if “Israel” resorts to illegal use of force, Iran will not hesitate to respond decisively and appropriately.

Emphasizing Iran’s constructive role in regional stability and security, including counterterrorism efforts, Amir-Abdollahian asserted that Iran will uphold its national security and interests without compromise. He also urged the Security Council to compel “Israel” to immediately halt the war and genocide in Gaza.

‘The root of the Middle East crisis lies in the Israeli occupation’

Iran’s Foreign Minister stressed that the actions perpetrated by the Israeli regime over the last 195 days in Gaza and other occupied Palestinian territories, along with its assaults on neighboring countries, underscore several incontrovertible realities.

“The attacks of this regime have all it takes to be construed as the crime of aggression, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of genocide and therefore the regime and its allies are fully responsible, and all the commanders, perpetrators, and supporters of those crimes must be held accountable and brought to justice for their atrocious crimes,” he said.

“The essence and nature of the Israeli regime is based on aggression, occupation, terror, and genocide. All of its past actions, such as the so-called peace negotiations, the conclusion of the Abraham Accords, and the normalization of relations, were not only peaceful, but inherently and completely deceptive, and as a result, lacked any practical results to realize the inherent rights of the Palestinian nation,” he added.

Amir-Abdollahian asserted that after more than six months of extensive Israeli attacks on Gaza and the occupied West Bank, it has become evident that the aspiration to dismantle Palestinian Resistance, viewed as a movement against occupation, is merely an illusion.

He added that the widespread support from regional nations and global advocates of freedom for the commendable Palestinian Resistance underscores that the Palestinian cause is not isolated in asserting its inherent rights under international law.

The top Iranian diplomat reiterated the official Iranian stance that “Israel” lacks legitimacy as a “state”, stressing that it is portrayed solely as an occupying power. 

He maintained that the Security Council is strongly expected to fulfill its responsibility by adopting a comprehensive and decisive resolution under the seventh chapter of the United Nations Charter on the following matters:

• Immediate, complete, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire establishment in all Gaza areas, particularly in Rafah;
• Full lifting of the human blockade against Gaza;
• Prisoner exchange for humanitarian purposes;
• Regime obligation to promptly, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all military forces and equipment from Gaza, ensuring the safe return of civilians to their areas;
• Enforcement of a comprehensive and immediate arms embargo against the Zionist regime;
• Support for the legally binding provisional orders of the International Court of Justice, as well as the establishment of a basis for the trial and accountability of all commanders, perpetrators, and supporters of Israeli crimes in Gaza and other occupied Palestinian territories. This includes acts of genocide, targeted killings of journalists, UN humanitarian workers, and employees of popular service institutions, as well as the repeated use of non-conventional weapons, such as phosphorus bombs,
• And addressing the repeated threats by Israeli regime officials to use nuclear bombs in Gaza. 

“I would like to reiterate that the root of the Middle East crisis lies in the occupation of the historical land of Palestine and its comprehensive, just, and permanent solution also lies in providing the necessary ground for the complete and free realization of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination through holding a referendum among all the original Palestinian residents, including Muslims, Christians, and Jews, with the help of the United Nations leading to the establishment of a government in the historical land of Palestine,” he stressed.

Amir-Abdollahian concluded by stating, “I would like to assure you, Mr. President, that the Islamic Republic of Iran will remain committed to promoting peace and stability in the region.”