Iran, Israel trade accusations amid escalating tensions at UN Security Council meeting

Iran and Israel accused each other of endangering global peace during a United Nations (UN) Security Council emergency meeting held Friday to address Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.

Earlier that day, Israel carried out a "preemptive strike," targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, high-ranking military leaders, and research scientists across multiple cities, marking a significant escalation in its long-standing tensions with Tehran.

Speaking at the meeting, Iran's permanent representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, strongly condemned the attacks as an act of state terrorism and a flagrant breach of international law and the UN Charter.

The Israeli strikes occurred just two days before the planned sixth round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, initially set for Sunday in Muscat, Oman, but canceled by Tehran in response to the attacks.

Iravani believes that Israeli aggression was to sabotage nuclear talks and drag the region into a wider conflict.

"These deliberate and systematic killings were not only illegal but inhuman, a chilling display of calculated aggression. These atrocities constitute clear act of state terrorism and flagrant violation of international law," Iravani said.

Iravani also accused the United States of being complicit in the Israeli attacks.

"Those who support this regime, with the United States at the forefront, must understand that they are complicit by aiding and enabling these crimes. They share full responsibility for the consequences. Supporting Israel today is supporting war crimes, crimes against humanity, and deliberate undermining of global peace and security," he said.

Saying the actions of Israel amount to a declaration of war, Iravani reaffirmed Iran's right to self-defense under the UN Charter. Iran will respond decisively at a time and place and in a manner determined by itself, he said.

Meanwhile, Israeli envoy Danny Danon accused Iran of taking steps toward building a nuclear arsenal.Danon emphasized that Iran must never be permitted to develop nuclear weapons, asserting that Israel has no choice but to act when the international community, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, fails to curb Tehran's ambitions.

"This operation was carried out because the alternative was unthinkable. How long did the world expect us to wait? How long? Let's stop and think about it. Until they assembled the bomb?" Danon said.

Iran has always wanted to destroy Israel, and Israel will not stand idly by when threats are made, Danon said.

Iran, Israel trade accusations amid escalating tensions at UN Security Council meeting

Iran, Israel trade accusations amid escalating tensions at UN Security Council meeting

Iran, Israel trade accusations amid escalating tensions at UN Security Council meeting

Iran, Israel trade accusations amid escalating tensions at UN Security Council meeting

Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China in Beijing on Monday.

As solemn music played and the golden doors slowly opened, Xi and Vucic entered the hall together, followed by Xi's wife Peng Liyuan and Vucic's wife Tamara Vucic.

Applauding guests rose to their feet, and paid respect to the two heads of state.

A Guard of Honor escorted the Friendship Medal into the hall, and amid solemn music, Xi formally presented the medal to Vucic.

Xi highlighted Vucic's long-standing commitment to advancing China-Serbia friendship and underscored the significance of the honor.

"President Vucic has long stayed committed to China-Serbia friendship, and he has always given China the firmest and clearest support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. He gains the respect from the Chinese people. This medal is not only a high recognition of President Vucic's contributions to bilateral friendship, but also carries the earnest expectations of both peoples for building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era," Xi said.

The Friendship Medal is China's highest state honor for foreigners, reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and safeguarding world peace.

At the invitation of Xi, Vucic is on a state visit to China from Sunday to Thursday, with this marking his first state visit to China and his ninth trip to the country overall.

Xi awards Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic China's friendship medal