UN Security Council to meet over Iran conflict
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting after the US and Israel launched an attack on Iran, dragging the Middle East into a new conflict.
UN diplomats said the 15-member delegation will meet in New York at 4pm local time on Saturday (8am AEDT on Sunday).
The meeting will be chaired by England, which holds the monthly council presidency.
Russia’s mission to the UN said Russia and China had requested an emergency meeting “in connection with the unprovoked act of armed aggression by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
It was stated that France, Bahrain and Colombia also called for the meeting.
In the statement made by Russia, it was said, “During the Security Council meeting, we will demand that the USA and Israel immediately stop their illegal and escalating actions and move towards a political and diplomatic solution.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres plans to address the Security Council session, a diplomat said.
Earlier on Saturday, Guterres issued a statement condemning military tensions in the Middle East.
“The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and Iran’s subsequent retaliation throughout the region, harms international peace and security,” he said.
Guterres said, “I call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation. Failure to do so risks a broader regional conflict with serious consequences for civilians and regional stability. I strongly encourage all parties to immediately return to the negotiating table.” he said.
