WASHINGTON: The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a Bahrain-led resolution condemning Iran’s recent missile and drone attacks on Gulf countries.
The attacks, targeting US assets and bases in Gulf countries, were carried out in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks on Iran, which began on February 28 and also resulted in the assassination of Ayotallah Ali Khamenei, who was Iran’s supreme leader.
The UN Security Council resolution, drafted on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), set a record with 135 co-sponsors, surpassing the previous high of 134 for Resolution 2177 (2014) on Ebola.
Pakistan was among the co-sponsors and voted in favor, noting that it is “not immune from these attacks” and stating that it supports the resolution.
The Bahrain-led resolution was adopted with 13 votes in favor; China and Russia abstained.
Its text “condemns in the strongest terms the atrocious attacks” carried out by Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, emphasizing that “such acts constitute a violation of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security.”
Demands the immediate cessation of all Iranian attacks against these countries and underscores the right to individual and collective self-defense recognized in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
The resolution criticizes “deliberate attacks” against civilians, critical infrastructure and commercial vessels, including in and around the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the adverse impact of the attacks on maritime security, international trade, energy supplies and the global economy.
The Security Council also recognized mediation efforts by GCC countries and other regional actors aimed at facilitating dialogue with Iran and resolving disputes peacefully, underlining the need to avoid further escalation.
By adopting the resolution, the UNSC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting stability and peace in the Middle East, while reiterating support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Gulf states and Jordan.
Pakistan calls for “quick return to dialogue”
Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said the launch of unjustified attacks on Iran on February 28 – which Islamabad also condemned – “have seriously endangered international peace and security, led to serious consequences and unnecessarily complicated the entire region.”
At least two Pakistani citizens lost their lives in attacks on the United Arab Emirates, and “millions of other Pakistanis residing in the Gulf countries remain at risk,” he said, adding that fuel supplies and essential air links have also been disrupted.
“We call for a rapid return to dialogue and diplomacy to seek a peaceful solution,” he added.
French representative Jerome Bonnafont alleged that Tehran had greatly expanded the war in recent days and said: “Iran bears great responsibility for the current escalation.”
France, he stated, has long been concerned about “Iran’s nuclear threats and its support for regional proxies.”
Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei of Bahrain, the original sponsor of the resolution, noted that 135 Member States had co-sponsored the text presented by his delegation on behalf of the GCC.
Emphasizing that the Gulf region was a pillar of global security, trade and economic stability, he said protecting the Middle East was therefore in everyone’s interest.
British representative James Kariuki highlighted his country’s support for regional defensive operations, saying: “It is right that this council wholeheartedly condemns Iran’s attacks, which pose a grave threat and risk further regional conflagration.”
Iran’s ambassador to the UN criticized the resolution as “politically motivated.”
“Today’s action represents a flagrant misuse of the Security Council’s mandate in pursuit of the political agendas of certain members, the various states responsible for the brutal war of aggression against my country,” Amir Saeid Iravani told the council.
US vetoes Russia resolution
Russia also presented a draft resolution on military escalation in the Middle East at the meeting, but it was vetoed by the United States.
The resolution received four votes in favor (from Russia, China, Somalia and Pakistan), while the United States and Latvia voted against.
Nine members abstained from voting, including the United Kingdom, France, Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Greece, Liberia and Panama.
Lebanon regrets being drawn into conflict
Earlier in the Security Council, Lebanon said it had been drawn into the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah – which continue to attack each other during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East – and “did not choose” to do so.
Lebanese Ambassador Ahmad Arafa said nearly a million people had been displaced amid airstrikes and evacuation warnings. He stressed that the government had rejected Hezbollah’s March 2 rocket attack on Israel, had banned the group’s military activities and had sought to reassert state authority.
Beirut expressed its willingness to negotiate a ceasefire under international auspices and called on the international community to support efforts to restore stability.
Pakistan expressed its strong support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and condemned Israel’s military actions in southern Lebanon as illegal, urging an immediate cessation of hostilities, Israel’s complete withdrawal and respect for relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Ambassador Usman Jadoon stressed that “dialogue and diplomacy must prevail over confrontation to avoid further regional destabilization.”
The United States, however, emphasized Israel’s “right to defend itself” against Hezbollah and Iran, while China and Russia called for an immediate ceasefire.
For his part, French Ambassador Bonnafont highlighted the high number of civilian victims and urged both parties to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and protect civilians.
Additional information from AFP
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1981123/unsc-adopts-resolution-against-irans-attacks-on-gulf-nations-tehran-decries-blatant-misuse-of-security-council