Middle East on Brink as UN Condemns Escalating Attacks
By Naureen Hossain, nouvelles-du-monde.com International Editor
UNITED NATIONS – The Middle East teeters on the edge of a wider conflict following a series of escalating military actions launched late last month, prompting urgent calls for de-escalation from the United Nations and international leaders. The crisis began with a joint military strike by the United States and Israel against targets in Iran on February 28, followed by retaliatory strikes by Iran against Israeli bases and Gulf states including Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
The situation unfolded as the UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting at the request of Iran and several Council members. UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a stark warning, stating, “We are witnessing a grave threat to international peace and security. Military action carries the risk of igniting a chain of events that no one can control in the most volatile region of the world.”
Guterres reminded all member states of their obligations under Article 2 of the UN Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. He stressed that a “lasting peace” could only be achieved through diplomatic negotiations, lamenting that a recent round of indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran, mediated by Oman, had been derailed.
Iran, in a letter to Guterres, asserted its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, stating that the U.S.-Israeli strikes constituted a violation of international law. Iranian Foreign Minister Sayed Abbas Araghchi warned that the United States and Israel would be “fully and directly responsible for all ensuing consequences.”
The crisis is further complicated by the reported death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, in the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes.
Several Security Council members voiced concerns over Iran’s actions and its nuclear program. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany issued a joint statement condemning the Iranian regime and its attacks on regional countries. UK Acting Permanent Representative James Kariuki, whose country currently holds the Security Council presidency, emphasized the need for Iran to refrain from further strikes and return to diplomacy, noting Iran’s lack of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Bahrain, which was directly targeted by Iranian military forces, condemned the attacks on its residential areas and a U.S. Navy base, calling for collective action to stabilize the region. Pakistan’s Ambassador Asim Ahmad expressed regret that “diplomacy has once again been derailed,” highlighting the detrimental impact of military actions on dialogue and trust.
International organizations have also weighed in. World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged world leaders to choose “the challenging path of dialogue” over “the senseless route of destruction,” expressing concern for civilians caught in the crossfire.
The conflict has already taken a devastating toll on civilian infrastructure in Iran, with reports of schools being bombed, including a girls’ elementary school in Minab, resulting in at least 165 deaths as of March 1, according to state sources. UNICEF issued a statement warning that the escalation marks a “dangerous moment for millions of children” and called for the protection of civilians, particularly schools, under international law.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for de-escalation and a return to negotiations to avoid further “senseless civilian deaths.” The IAEA stated it is closely monitoring the situation to prevent any nuclear safety risks.
With the United States assuming the Security Council presidency in March, the international community awaits its leadership in upholding international law and preventing further loss of life.