Iranian diplomat criticizes Security Council, calling it a political tool and highlighting its deafening silence
An Iranian senior diplomat has vocally condemned the United Nations Security Council for its perceived inaction concerning alleged Israeli offenses in Palestine and Lebanon, describing the international body's silence as overwhelmingly conspicuous.
Kazem Gharibabadi, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, delivered a statement during the United Nations Security Council’s open debate on “Leadership for Peace: United in Respect of the UN Charter in Search of a Secure Future” held in New York on Wednesday.
He declared that the Security Council has regrettably been co-opted by some permanent members who place their political and strategic agendas above the pursuit of global peace.
He further commented that the silence from the Security Council is resounding and perilous, as it conveys a troubling message to both the innocent victims of the conflict and the global community.
He underscored that the United States has consistently employed its veto power to protect Israel from accountability regarding its ongoing actions, which he described as acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and now extending to Lebanon.
“The Iranian diplomat stated that the world is at a pivotal moment, encountering an unprecedented level of conflicts unseen since the Cold War. This surge in violence has resulted in a significant rise in civilian casualties, notably affecting women, children, and humanitarian workers.”
He raised alarm over breaches of international law and the principles outlined in the United Nations Charter.
He expressed regret that impunity for severe breaches of international law, notably international humanitarian law, is increasingly becoming the standard.
Gharibabadi characterized the Gaza crisis as a “collective failure” to maintain international peace and security, citing, “We are witnessing an unparalleled humanitarian disaster.”
A senior United Nations official has described Gaza as “hell on earth,” according to recent statements. The official further highlighted that the reported casualties in the region are deeply alarming.
“In Lebanon, the intentional targeting of civilians in heavily populated areas with advanced technological means for terror purposes constitutes a flagrant breach of international law, humanitarian principles, and several United Nations resolutions,” Gharibabadi stated.
He underscored that Israel’s intense airstrikes on Lebanon represent not only an assault on the Lebanese population but constitute an “assault on humanity as a whole.”
He condemned Israel, accusing the nation of egregious violations, stating, “This terrorist regime disregards international humanitarian law and the principles of human dignity entirely.”
Israel’s leadership harbors no intention of restoring peace to the region, with its true aim being to plunge the entire area into a full-fledged conflict, he cautioned.
The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister has called upon the United Nations Security Council to uphold its obligations as outlined in the UN Charter. He emphasized the necessity for prompt intervention to cease Israel’s military operations and avert any further escalation in the region.
He emphasized the urgent need for the Security Council to take decisive action to safeguard civilians in Palestine and Lebanon, as well as to ensure Israel’s adherence to international law and its binding resolutions.
He noted that the United Nations Security Council, which holds the principal mandate for safeguarding global peace and security, has been rendered ineffective due to deep-seated political divisions, hindering its ability to take decisive action.
He emphasized that nurturing trust is crucial for achieving lasting peace. He argued that the global community can only attain a secure and peaceful future through consistent, coordinated, and unbiased efforts.
“He emphasized that the restoration of peace hinges on trust, which starts with a profound respect for international law and adherence to the United Nations Charter.”
The remarks were made against the backdrop of the Israeli regime’s continuing military actions in the Gaza Strip, described by some as genocidal, along with an escalation of lethal assaults on Lebanon.
The intensified conflict, initiated on October 7 with a severe military offensive against the coastal enclave, has seen the regime conduct numerous assaults on Lebanese territory, resulting in hundreds of casualties over the past week.
