UN's Guterres condemns Iran attack, Israel calls for UNSC to take action

• Published date: 14 April 2024
• Author: TOVAH LAZAROFF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

"I strongly condemn the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched on Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran this evening. I call for an immediate cessation of these hostilities," Guterres stated in a post on X. "I am deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation," he said, as he urged "maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East

"I have repeatedly stressed that neither the region nor the world can afford another war," he stated.Israel's Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan wrote a letter to UN Security Council President Maltese Ambassador Vanessa Frazier, asking that the 15-member body condemn the Iranian attack."The gravity and the volume of the attacks are unprecedented and are a flagrant violation of Israel's sovereignty, of international law, and of Security Council resolutions," Erdan said. "The time has come for the Security Council to take action against the Iranian threat," he said.

One diplomat told Reuters that the UNSC could meet on the Iran attack as early as Sunday.

Iran's mission to the UN blames Israel

Iran's mission to the UN in New York stated in a post on X early Sunday morning that its attack was an act of self-defense permissible under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

"Iran's military action was in response to the Zionist regime's aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus," it wrote, as it referred to the April 1 strike that killed seven of its military officials."The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran's response will be considerably more severe," Iran stated.UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis said he expected Iran would honor its word that the drone and missile launch was a solitary action and that the...