Iran's UN ambassador Ali Bahreini urged the international community uphold international law after U.S.-Israeli attacks, declaring Iran will keep defending itself until the strikes stop.
Bahreini told reporters in Geneva that a nuclear agreement with the United States was nearly sealed when U.S. and Israeli forces struck on Saturday.
The ambassador said that instead of sitting down to technical talks in Vienna this week, "the war was imposed" on his country, vowing Iran will respond strongly.
He added that Iranian diplomatic circles had a "solid assessment" war was imminent and that "everyone in Iran, including the military, was aware of the strong possibility of conflict".
"According to this preparation, they are prepared to continue our defense to the end and to the point that this war is ended and the aggressors are punished. We have full trust in the capabilities of our military forces to continue this defense to the end and to the point that the aggressor are stopped and punished," Bahreini said.
Bahreini highlighted that Iran is exercising its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter and is pressing for an emergency Human Rights Council session to censure the United States.
He emphasized it was a historic moment, urging the international community to act in defense of international law. Bahreini added that while Iran looks to its allies diplomatically, it does not need external help for defense.
"Iran from the beginning has decided to establish its security policies, defense policies on its internal capabilities. And this policy continues," he said.
The ambassador concluded by saying those behind the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the strikes on Iran's schools and hospitals must face justice.
Iran's UN ambassador calls for respect for international law, vows Iran will defend itself
China welcomes all like-minded countries to join the Group of Friends of Global Governance (GFGG) and is ready to work with the international community to advance reform and improvement of global governance and jointly address global challenges, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning in Beijing on Wednesday.
Mao was speaking at a regular press conference in response to a question about the Group of Friends of Global Governance, which was launched in Geneva on February 27. In September 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping formally proposed the Global Governance Initiative, contributing China's wisdom and solutions to building a more just and equitable global governance system. Since its launch, the initiative has received support from more than 150 countries and international organizations, Mao said.
"In December last year at the UN Headquarters in New York, China proposed to establish the "Group of Friends of Global Governance," which has been warmly received at the UN," she said.
Geneva is an important hub of global governance, home to many UN entities and specialized agencies that address agendas vital to countries’ development and people’s livelihood, Mao said.
"On February 27, China held the launch ceremony of the "Group of Friends of Global Governance" in Geneva. Representatives from nearly 60 countries attended the meeting, including 42 founding members of the GFGG. Parties expressed strong recognition and support for the GGI, commended China's leading role in global governance, and looked forward to the GFGG strengthening communication and coordination and promoting dialogue and cooperation on the Geneva platform," she said. The establishment of the GFGG in both New York and Geneva, and its rapid progress, reflect that the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi meet the needs of the world and conform to the will of the people, said the spokeswoman.
"As the noble cause of peace and development for humanity is confronted with severe challenges, it is more imperative than ever for us to recommit to the founding mission of the UN, uphold multilateralism, defend international fairness and justice, and work for peace, stability and development. China welcomes the participation of all countries sharing the same vision, and through the launch of the GFGG stands ready to work with the international community to explore pathways for reforming and improving global governance, jointly tackle global challenges and build a community with a shared future for humanity," she said.
China welcomes like-minded countries to join Group of Friends of Global Governance: spokeswoman
