The US warns Iran at the UN: Do not attack us or Israel

2024-10-02 18:25:24, Kosova & Bota CNA

The United Nations Security Council is discussing the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The United States warned Iran from this meeting not to attack the United States and Israel.

"Our actions are defensive" , declared the US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. "Let me be clear: the Iranian regime will be held accountable for its actions. We seriously warn Iran – and groups close to it – not to take action against the United States, or against Israel,” she said.

She said the Security Council should condemn Iran's attack and impose "serious consequences" on Iran's Revolutionary Guard for its actions.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres demanded an immediate end to the escalation and exchange of attacks, which according to him are leading the peoples of the Middle East "towards the abyss".

"It is of fundamental importance that we avoid an all-out war in Lebanon, which would have extremely serious consequences," he added.

He condemned Iran's attack on Israel, as well as attacks by Hamas and Hezbollah, while criticizing Israel for what he called "the bloodiest and most destructive military campaign during his tenure as secretary-general," referring to the conflict in Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

"It is high time for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza," he declared. "It is high time to end the fighting in Lebanon... It is high time to stop this heavy cycle of escalation."

In a letter to the Security Council on Tuesday, Iran justified the attack on Israel as an act of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, citing Israel's "aggressive actions," including violations of Iran's sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Israel's foreign minister announced today that he has banned Mr. Guterres from entering Israel, accusing him of being biased against Israel.

Israeli Minister Israel Katz said that Israel has declared Mr Guterres 'persona non grata'.

This decision deepens existing rifts between Israel and the United Nations.

Israel also announced on Wednesday that seven of its soldiers had been killed during fighting in Lebanon. Their deaths were announced on Wednesday, a day after Israel announced it had launched a ground offensive in Lebanon.

Fighting between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah militants is continuing in southern Lebanon, according to reports from both sides.

Israel announced that it would send more troops and artillery to the border area./ VOA