UNSC convenes emergency meeting over Iran’s attack on Israel
The Israeli envoy urges the U.N. Security Council to condemn Iran’s first-ever direct missile and drone attacks and designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is set to convene an emergency session this Sunday to address Iran’s unprecedented assault on Israel involving drones and missiles, as confirmed by the council’s president.
Vanessa Frazier, the Maltese President of the Security Council for April, informed reporters on Saturday that in response to Israel’s request, the Security Council aims to hold the meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday (11:00 p.m. Israel time).
The UNSC meeting aimed to address Israel’s request for the condemnation of the attack and the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
Iran’s first-ever direct attack against Israel
Iran initiated the assault late Saturday, launching a barrage of explosive drones and missiles directly at Israeli territory, marking its first direct attack on Israel.
“Today, Iran has launched a direct attack from within its territory of more than 200 (drones), cruise missiles and ballistic missiles towards Israel,” Erdan wrote.
Additionally, Erdan underscored the global implications of the Iranian assault, declaring: “The attack is a severe and dangerous escalation.”
‘U.S. must stay away from conflict between Israel, Iran’
Iran’s mission to the U.N. earlier issued a warning to both Israel and the U.S. “should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe,” it wrote online.
Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the U.N. Amir-Saeid Iravani has said: “Should the Israeli regime commit any military aggression again, Iran’s response will assuredly and decisively be stronger, and more resolute.”
Iravani made the remarks in his letters sent to the U.N. chief Antonio Guterres and Frazier on Saturday.
Iran’s attack legitimate act of self-defense under UN charter
It also claimed the attack was a legitimate act of self-defense under the U.N. charter, saying “Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus.”
“This action was in the exercise of Iran’s inherent right to self-defense as outlined in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, and in response to the Israeli recurring military aggressions, particularly its armed attack on April 1, 2024, against Iranian diplomatic premises, in the defiance of Article 2 (4) of the Charter of the United Nations,” according to the Iranian ambassador.
“Regrettably, the United Nations Security Council has failed in its duty to maintain international peace and security, allowing the Israeli regime to transgress red lines and violate the fundamental principles of international law. Such violations have exacerbated tensions in the region and threatened regional and international peace and security,” the mission added.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent right of self-defense when required.”
Netanyahu phone talks with Biden
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged in discussions with U.S. President Joe Biden, following security cabinet and war cabinet meetings in Tel Aviv.
The conversation, lasting approximately 25 minutes, occurred after Biden convened a principals meeting of the National Security Council to address the attack.
Biden reiterated the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies.
The White House has not yet provided a formal statement regarding the call between Netanyahu and Biden.
Biden returned to Washington earlier than planned, cutting short his weekend stay in Delaware.
“Our commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad,” Biden affirmed following the National Security Council meeting.
Source: Newsroom
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