NEW YORK: The United States and Iran exchanged harsh words over the situation in Iran at the UN Security Council meeting.
The US envoy warned Iran that all options were under consideration to stop the massacre of protesters, while Iran made it clear that it did not want tension or conflict, but that any aggression would be met with a decisive and legal response.
Addressing the Security Council, the US envoy said that millions of people were protesting against the Iranian government and that the US stood with the ‘brave people’ of Iran.
He accused the Iranian government of using brute force on the protesters, which was having negative effects on global peace and security.
According to the US envoy, if the massacre did not stop, various options would be considered, and President Trump believes in action rather than words.
US envoy Mike Waltz condemned the internet shutdown in Iran, saying that this move was being deliberately taken to hide the facts on the ground from the world. He called Iran a sponsor of terrorism and a threat to the security of the United States and Israel.
In response, Iran’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Gholam Hossein, said that Iran has no intention of tension or conflict, but if there is aggression, it will be met with a strong response.
He alleged that the forces that failed to achieve their goals through the 12-day war now want to achieve the same goals through political instability.
The Iranian deputy representative claimed that between January 8 and 10, Iran faced ISIS-style terrorism, and the number of deaths was being exaggerated as a pretext for intervention.
He warned that threats of the use of force in the name of protecting protesters or humanitarianism would be a serious violation of international law and the UN Charter.
Ghulam Hussain said that the response to any direct or indirect act of aggression will be decisive and legal under Article 51 of the UN Charter, and responsibility for its consequences will lie with those who initiate the illegal act.
He urged the Security Council to reject and condemn such actions promptly.
Pakistan Appeals Restraint
At the United Nations, Pakistan has expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, appealing to all parties to exercise restraint, responsible behavior, and refrain from the use of force, and has called for urgent diplomatic efforts for a peaceful resolution of the issues.
While discussing the situation in the Middle East at the UN Security Council meeting in New York, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmed said that disputes should be resolved only through peaceful means in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.
He warned that unilateral actions, continued confrontation and the use of force will not only take the world further away from resolving issues but will also cause unnecessary human losses.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar said that the use or threat of force will further worsen the situation and undermine regional and global peace and stability.
He said that Pakistan is closely monitoring the recent developments in Iran and the region and the emerging threats to peace in the current high-level tensions are worrying.
The Pakistani envoy, describing Iran as a close neighbor and brotherly country of Pakistan, said that the two countries have strong historical, cultural and religious ties.
He expressed hope that the situation in Iran would return to normal soon and that Pakistan would continue to support all diplomatic efforts for peace and stability in the region.
He said that a stable and peaceful Iran is in the interest of Pakistan, the region and the international community.
