In an emergency session of the United Nations (UN) Security Council on Saturday, diplomats from various countries delivered sharply divided statements on the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran and the escalating regional fallout.
Earlier in the day, the U.S. and Israel launched what U.S. President Donald Trump called "major combat operations" against Iran, plunging the war-torn Middle East into a new round of violent conflict.
At the session, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation in the region.
"Preparations had been made for technical talks in Vienna next week, followed by a new round of political talks. I deeply regret that this opportunity for diplomacy has been squandered. The region and the world need a way out now. I call for de-escalation and an immediate cessation of hostilities. The alternative is a potential wider conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability,” he said.
Iran accused the U.S. and Israel of aggression and civilian killings.
"In addition to the numerous civilian residential building, the aggressors have also targeted a school in the city of Minab, in the Hormozgan province, killing more than 100 children. The number of innocent civilians continues to rise. This is not only an act of aggression, it is a war crime and a crime against humanity,” said Iran's permanent representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani.
Israel's permanent representative to the UN, Danny Danon, said joint strikes are necessary to stop “existential threat”, while Mike Waltz, U.S. permanent representative to the UN emphasized that the operation is aimed at weakening Iran's missile capabilities.
China called for an immediate halt to military actions and no further escalation of the situation.
"Military force is not the right way to resolve international disputes, but only intensifies hatred and conflicts. The escalation and spillover of the situation in the Middle East are not in any party's interests. Dialogue and negotiations are the only ways to resolve conflicts and disputes. China calls for an immediate stop to the military actions, and no further escalation of the situation," said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN.
Russia said the U.S.-Israel actions violated the UN Charter and international law, constituting "armed aggression" against a member state.
"Washington and West Jerusalem's actions are nothing other than yet another unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state in violation of the charter of the organization and of the fundamental principles of international law,” said Vasily Nebenzya, Russia's permanent representative to the UN.
The United States and Israel on Saturday launched coordinated airstrikes against Iran, with the latter responding with a series of attacks on Israel and U.S. targets across the Middle East.
Increasing casualties are reported in Iran and other countries involved in the ongoing flare-up.
Iran's state media confirmed Sunday that its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Saturday.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society said that the strikes hit at least 24 of Iran's 31 provinces, with 201 deaths and 747 injuries reported so far.
Iran accuses US, Israel of aggression, civilian killings at UN Security Council meeting
