At a meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the US warned Iran of “serious consequences” if it launches further attacks in West Asia.
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The United States warned Iran at the UN Security Council on Monday of “serious consequences” if it takes any further aggressive actions against Israel or US personnel in the Middle East.
“We will not hesitate to act in self-defense. Let there be no confusion. The US does not want further escalation. We believe this should end direct fire between Israel and Iran,” US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the 15-member council.
The Security Council met after Israel struck missile factories and other sites in Iran before dawn on Saturday. It was a response to Iran’s attack on Israel on October 1 using about 200 ballistic missiles.
Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeed Iravani accused Washington of “complicity” in military support for its ally.
“Iran has consistently advocated diplomacy,” he told the council. “However, as a sovereign state, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the inalienable right to respond at any time of its choosing to this act of aggression.”
Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon called on the Security Council to impose “crippling sanctions” on Iran’s military and economic infrastructure and “take the necessary measures to prevent the insane regime from achieving nuclear capability.” He called Israel’s strikes on Iran “measured and proportionate” and said Iran would continue to defend itself.
“Any further aggression will have swift and decisive consequences,” Danon told the council, adding that “Israel does not seek war.”
China’s U.N. Ambassador Fu Cong called on the United States, without naming him specifically, to “put saving lives and preventing war first” and support U.N. Security Council action aimed at an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and de-escalation of the conflict. Fighting between Israel and Lebanon.
Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya called on the United States to support Israel.
“Jerusalem is not ready to give up its choice to resolve all conflict situations with its neighbors exclusively by force. Their determination to act this way… is because they have the support and cover of American allies,” he said.
Iran should not respond to Israel’s weekend attack, Britain’s UN ambassador Barbara Woodward said, adding: “All sides must exercise restraint. There is no good in adding fuel to this escalating cycle of violence.”