The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution demanding Iran cease its attacks on Gulf nations and Jordan, a move swiftly condemned by Iranian officials as ignoring “criminal aggression” by the United States and Israel. The vote, held at an emergency meeting in New York, passed with a vote of 13 in favor, with China and Russia abstaining, according to reports from Al Jazeera and the Economic Times.
The resolution specifically condemns Iran’s recent attacks and calls for an immediate halt to hostilities, while also deploring Tehran’s targeting of infrastructure in the Gulf region, including ports and energy facilities. It also addresses the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil supplies. Notably, the resolution makes no mention of the prior U.S. And Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, a point of sharp contention for Tehran.
“It was overwhelming. It was 13 votes on the Council in favour, two abstentions,” Al Jazeera’s Gabriel Elizondo reported from UN headquarters. “Both China and Russia abstained but notably decided not to use their veto power to block this resolution.” Elizondo also noted that the resolution garnered an unprecedented 135 cosponsors, signaling broad international support for the measure.
During the Security Council meeting, ambassadors from Israel and Iran clashed directly, as reported by the Economic Times. Israel’s ambassador Danny Danon accused Tehran of targeting civilians, supporting Hezbollah, and pursuing nuclear weapons, while Iran’s envoy Amir Saeid Iravani condemned U.S. And Israeli military actions against Iran, warning of escalating regional instability.
The absence of any condemnation of the U.S. And Israeli strikes has drawn criticism from some observers, who argue it reflects a double standard in the UN’s approach to the conflict. UN Watch highlighted this disparity, while Common Dreams reported that Iran has demanded emergency United Nations action over what it calls “criminal aggression” from the U.S. And Israel.
Meanwhile, in the United States, Democratic lawmakers are reportedly calling for a public hearing into the recent strikes on Iran, with concerns raised about potential civilian casualties. One strike is suspected to have hit a girls’ school, resulting in significant loss of life, though independent verification of this claim remains unavailable.
The resolution’s adoption comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, with ongoing concerns about the potential for further escalation. The UN Security Council has not scheduled any further meetings regarding the situation as of Wednesday evening.
