UN chief condemns US-Israeli attacks on Iran during emergency Security Council meeting

"Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Saturday that everything must be done to prevent further escalation. The alternative, he warned, is a potential wider conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability."

"Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon, speaking to reporters before the meeting, said it was hypocrisy to condemn the airstrikes. He said Iran is responsible for the actions of its proxies in the Middle East and for its nuclear and missile programs, and Israel and the U.S. acted to prevent an irreversible and immediate threat."

"Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a letter to the secretary-general, accused the United States and Israel of flagrantly violating Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity and the U.N. Charter. He said Iran was exercising its right to self-defense under the charter in response."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran at an emergency Security Council meeting, warning of potential wider conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability. He also condemned Iran's retaliatory attacks for violating the sovereignty of multiple Middle Eastern nations. Israel's UN Ambassador argued the airstrikes were justified to prevent an immediate threat, citing Iran's responsibility for proxy actions and nuclear programs. The attack killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, raising prospects of prolonged conflict. Iran's Foreign Minister accused the U.S. and Israel of violating Iran's sovereignty and the UN Charter, claiming self-defense rights and demanding accountability and condemnation from the Security Council.

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