Iran’s President Condemns United Nations Inaction on Gaza and Lebanon Conflicts

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sharply criticized the United Nations and its Security Council on Tuesday for their inadequate response to Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, asserting that the global institution failed to adequately address fundamental threats to the international order.

Speaking at the “SCO Plus” session during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of State summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Pezeshkian asserted that the world is currently grappling with military aggression, genocide, war crimes, terrorism, and what he characterized as illegitimate sanctions.

He declared that the United Nations and the UN Security Council have performed “very disappointingly” in managing these developments, specifically citing their failures in Gaza, Lebanon, and regarding the recent aggression against Iran.

Pezeshkian leveled accusations against the United States and Israel, claiming they violated the UN Charter and international law during the recent conflict with Iran. He highlighted attacks on civilians, educational and medical facilities, critical infrastructure, and nuclear sites operating under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.

He maintained that Iran did not initiate the conflict but instead acted in self-defense, emphasizing that Tehran continues to view diplomacy and negotiations as the primary avenue for resolving disputes.

He noted that “diplomacy devoid of good faith, respect for commitments, and a commitment to refraining from the use of force cannot yield lasting peace.”

Pezeshkian also charged Washington with repeatedly breaching its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the US, warning that pressure and threats could undermine diplomatic efforts even after a political framework for ending hostilities and initiating negotiations has been established.

The memorandum was finalized in June after nearly three months of negotiations mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, which followed 40 days of conflict between Iran and the US and Israel. The agreement established a framework for halting hostilities and resuming talks, including provisions related to the Strait of Hormuz.

Addressing the international system, Pezeshkian argued that the emergence of a multipolar world should not equate to replacing one dominant power with another.

He advocated for a more representative and effective UN and Security Council, contending that a just multipolar order must be grounded in effective multilateralism, sovereign equality, and adherence to international law.

Pezeshkian stated that SCO Plus nations, leveraging their significant political, economic, demographic, and geographical influence, are well-positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping this new international order.

Established in 2001, the SCO consists of 10 member states: Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Iran achieved full membership in 2023.

The SCO Plus format convenes the organization’s members with invited nations and international organizations to facilitate broader dialogue on regional and global matters.

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