Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), on Monday expressed his strong concern over the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, emphasizing that the move will cost the country significant benefits from global climate action.
U.S. President Donald Trump, on his first day back in the White House in January 2025, signed an executive order to withdraw his country from the Paris climate accord for the second time.
The United Nations confirmed on Jan. 28, 2025 that it had received the official notification from Washington of its withdrawal from the Paris climate change agreement.
The withdrawal took effect on Tuesday.
In an interview with the China Media Group in the southwestern German city of Bonn where UNFCCC is headquartered, Stiell said that despite the U.S. withdrawal, 194 of the 195 signatory countries remain committed to tackling climate change and its adverse effects.
"First thing, one from 195 still leaves 194. And we're seeing what global cooperation toward climate action means with those that are still in. The U.S. withdrawal will only hurt themselves. It will cause harm in terms of the climate impacts that they are experiencing domestically. What we're seeing in terms of wildfires, floods, mega storms, extreme heat, that is impacting not just the world but the United States themselves. They are not immune from that," he said.
"But when we also look at the benefits of strong climate action, what that means in terms of economic growth, jobs, better health, and improved living standards, the U.S. withdrawal is simply an opportunity lost on their side. And what is absolutely clear: when one country steps back, it simply provides opportunities for others to step forward. And we're already seeing the strong leadership within China in terms of what positive, forward-thinking actions, how they equate to economic growth, jobs, better health, etc.," said Stiell.
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 195 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on Dec. 12, 2015. It entered into force on Nov. 4, 2016.
US withdrawal from Paris Agreement to miss climate action benefits: UN senior official
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday Iran will give a "comprehensive and regret-inducing" response to any aggression.
He made the remarks at a weekly press conference in Tehran in response to U.S. military movements in West Asia and its ongoing joint drills with Gulf states.
Regrading the recent U.S. military deployments in the region and the imposition of new sanctions on Iran, Baghaei said that Iran has continued to face a "hybrid war" orchestrated by the United States.
He reiterated that U.S.'s enmity toward Iran remains unchanged, citing last year's attacks and the use of "economic terrorism" to undermine Iran's economy.
Stressing that the arrival of U.S. naval force in the region will not waver Iran's resolve to defend its sovereignty and its people, Baghaei said the Iranian military is closely monitoring the developments, and continuously enhancing its capabilities.
He also condemned the U.S. decision to dispatch troops and issue threats in the Middle East, saying that it violates international norms.
Such provocations directly threaten the security of all nations in the region, Baghaei warned.
"Regional countries understand that insecurity in one part of the region doesn't affect only Iran. This instability is contagious. Iran remains confident in its own strength and remember the lessons from last June's conflict. We will respond more forcefully than ever before to any act of aggression," said Baghaei.
At the press conference, Baghaei also took aim at Israel, calling its military actions and threats the root cause of instability in West Asia.
Though a ceasefire agreement was reportedly in place, the international community has continued to witness Israeli aggression against civilians in Gaza and Lebanon, he noted.
When asked whether Iran would consider negotiations with the United States amid heightened speculation about a potential military strike, Baghaei stressed that Iran has "never abandoned diplomacy" as a means of resolving disputes.
However, he said that it was the United States that first undermined past nuclear negotiations.
Baghaei said that, given the current circumstances, Iran has already begun engaging with regional countries through diplomatic channels.
He also warned that should a conflict erupt, Iran would not hesitate to exercise its inherent right to self-defense and would act decisively to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Iran says to give "comprehensive, regret-inducing" response to any aggression
