The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) announced on Friday it will convene an emergency session to address Iran-Israel tensions that have rapidly escalated over recent weeks, raising international alarm over their potential expansion into a regional war in the Middle East.
This UN headquarters session in New York comes amid increasing calls from member states for diplomatic intervention as both nations continue their military attacks, with Israeli air raids targeting Iranian facilities and Iranian missile strikes hitting Israeli territory; casualties from these confrontations continue to mount on both sides.
Antonio Guterres issued a brief statement Thursday warning of impending danger for world peace, calling for immediate de-escalation of hostilities and peace talks between Palestine and Israel to defuse tensions and potential war between both regions. Guterres indicated the Middle East region is at a tipping point that, left unchecked, could quickly escalate into full scale warfare with global implications, “This conflict could easily spiral out of control resulting in widespread bloodshed across the region,” as per Guterres.
France and Brazil jointly requested an emergency meeting, both expressing alarm over the humanitarian toll and potential collapse of regional diplomacy. At this meeting, briefings should be provided from Tor Wennesland as UN Special Envoy for Middle East Peacemaking as well as senior officials of OCHA (Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs).
As well as representatives from Security Council member states, Iran, Israel and other key regional actors are expected to attend this summit. Yet tensions over what type of response might come from the UN remain high as there remain divisions among major powers.
Russia and the US both call for a balanced resolution encouraging restraint on all sides, while China favors diplomatic resolution with multi-party peace frameworks that include regional and international stakeholders.
Saeed Iravani, Iran’s UN ambassador, informed reporters Thursday that Tehran will present evidence of “aggressive and unlawful military acts” committed by Israel. He blamed Western nations for encouraging Israel’s expansionism while pledged that Iran will defend its sovereignty “by any means necessary.”
Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the UN and UNSC, will seek strong condemnation of Iran’s missile launches and call upon the international community to increase pressure against Tehran over its nuclear ambitions and support of proxy militias across the Middle East region.
Humanitarian organizations have voiced grave concern at the increasing civilian casualties, displacement of thousands and disruption of basic services in Syria. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has demanded safe humanitarian corridors be established immediately as well as cessation of hostilities to enable aid deliveries.
As the Security Council meets on Friday, international observers warn of dire repercussions if it fails to act decisively. According to former UN diplomat Richard Gowan, this crisis “is not simply regional; it has the potential to become global.” What happens at Friday’s Security Council session could ultimately decide if Middle Eastern turmoil eases or further escalates.