US and Iran Face Off at UN Security Council Amidst Rising Tensions
The United Nations witnessed a showdown between US and Iranian officials on Thursday, as America’s envoy reiterated threats against Iran despite President Trump’s attempts to ease tensions between the two nations.
During the session, the US, along with Iranian dissidents, condemned Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests, which activists claim has resulted in the deaths of over 2,600 individuals.
“President Trump is a man of action, not words, as we often see at the United Nations,” stated Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the UN. “He has made it clear that all options are on the table to end the bloodshed, and the Iranian regime should be well aware of that.”
Despite the looming threat of US retaliation for the protesters’ deaths, Trump hinted at a potential de-escalation, noting a decline in violence. However, the protests challenging Iran’s government continued to be suppressed, with an ongoing internet and communication blackout.
The US called for an emergency Security Council meeting and invited two Iranian dissidents, Masih Alinejad and Ahmad Batebi, to share their harrowing experiences under the Islamic Republic.
Alinejad directly addressed the Iranian representative, accusing them of attempting to assassinate her multiple times. Batebi recounted the brutal treatment he endured in Iranian prisons, urging Trump not to abandon the Iranian people.
Prior to the meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held their first phone conversation since the start of the deadly protests. Araghchi called on the UN to condemn what Iran perceives as “illegal US interventions.”
Meanwhile, the US imposed new sanctions on Iranian officials involved in suppressing the protests, with other international bodies considering similar measures to pressure Iran’s government.
The escalating tensions between the US and Iran, as well as the ongoing human rights abuses in Iran, have raised concerns globally. The international community, including the UN, is being called upon to address these critical issues and hold Iran accountable for its actions.
