The U.N. Security Council met on Sunday after U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, as Russia, China and Pakistan proposed a resolution urging an immediate Middle East ceasefire, raising tensions over the legality and fallout of Western military action.
The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, as Russia, China and Pakistan introduced a draft resolution calling for an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" in the Middle East.
The resolution, circulated among the 15-member body, does not name the United States or Israel but condemns attacks on Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Diplomats said the sponsors asked members to submit comments by Monday evening. It is unclear when a vote may take place.
A resolution requires at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by any of the five permanent members – the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China. The U.S. is expected to oppose the text, which questions the legitimacy and impact of its military action in Iran.
"The bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States marks a perilous turn in a region that is already reeling," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Addressing the council, he warned of a "rathole of retaliation after retaliation".
Guterres urged all sides to act immediately to stop the fighting and resume "serious, sustained negotiations" on Iran's nuclear programme.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that U.S. forces had "obliterated" key Iranian nuclear sites, joining Israeli forces in the most significant Western military campaign against the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution.
The strikes targeted Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said damage was visible at all three sites, including tunnel entrances at Isfahan and the mountain facility at Fordow.
However, he added that "no one, including the IAEA, is in a position to assess the underground damage" yet. Iran informed the agency that off-site radiation levels remain unchanged.
Iran formally requested the Security Council meeting, calling on the body "to address this blatant and unlawful act of aggression, to condemn it in the strongest possible terms".
Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, said in a statement that the U.S. and Israel "do not deserve any condemnation, but rather an expression of appreciation and gratitude for making the world a safer place". Speaking to reporters, he added: "That's for the Iranian people to decide, not for us", when asked whether Israel was seeking regime change.
The international community now awaits Iran's response amid growing concern of further escalation in the region.
A 37-year-old U.S. citizen was shot dead by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday (7 January) during an ICE operation, sparking prot...
Power has been fully restored to a neighbourhood in Berlin after an arson attack triggered a blackout that lasted more than four days - the second suc...
Experts say COP30 failed to deliver concrete commitments on fossil fuels and deforestation despite high expectations....
The leader of Yemen’s southern separatists failed to travel to Riyadh for crisis talks on Wednesday, leaving his fate unclear and complicating effor...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the United States to target Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia’s Chechnya region, with an op...
World leaders and organisations have responded strongly to the United States’ military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture and departure of President Nicolás Maduro. Many condemn the action as a breach of international law and calling for restraint and peaceful resolution.
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Monday to discuss the U.S. operation in Venezuela.
The United Nations on Friday voiced serious concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, warning that rising violence is increasingly affecting civilians.
Suhail Shaheen, Afghanistan’s ambassador in Doha, has again urged the United Nations to transfer Afghanistan’s seat at the UN to the Taliban-led administration, arguing the current arrangement no longer reflects realities in the country.
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) sources reported a significant movement of U.S. military aircraft towards the Middle East in recent hours. Dozens of U.S. Air Force aerial refuelling tankers and heavy transport aircraft were observed heading eastwards, presumably to staging points in the region.
Diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing escalated as Japan slams China's export ban on dual-use goods. Markets have wobbled as fears grow over a potential rare earth embargo affecting global supply chains.
Two people have been killed after a private helicopter crashed at a recreation centre in Russia’s Perm region, Russian authorities and local media have said.
Iran’s chief justice has warned protesters there will be “no leniency for those who help the enemy against the Islamic Republic”, as rights groups reported a rising death toll during what observers describe as the country’s biggest wave of unrest in three years.
"Change is coming to Iran" according to U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham during an interview with Fox News on Tuesday (6 January). He warned Iran that "if you keep killing your people for wanting a better life, Donald Trump is going to kill you."
A 37-year-old U.S. citizen was shot dead by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday (7 January) during an ICE operation, sparking protests and an investigation.
Power has been fully restored to a neighbourhood in Berlin after an arson attack triggered a blackout that lasted more than four days - the second such incident in the city since September.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the United States to target Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia’s Chechnya region, with an operation similar to the recent U.S. action that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he will stop defence contractors from paying dividends or buying back shares until weapons production speeds up, criticising the industry for delays and high costs.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he will meet Danish leaders next week, signalling that Washington is not retreating from President Donald Trump’s stated goal of acquiring Greenland, despite mounting concern among European allies.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment