New York, 28 February 2026 – United Nations leaders warned against the spread of the war in Iran into countries in the Middle East as the UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting after the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran and the later retaliated with attacks against US bases in the region.
The United States told the council its military action aimed at dismantling Iran’s military capabilities, including nuclear weapons, that have threatened other countries.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the opening of the meeting of the 15-nation Security Council: “I have condemned the massive military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran. I also condemned the subsequent attacks by Iran violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.”
Guterres said about 20 cities across Iran — including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Shahriar, and Tabriz — have reportedly been attacked, causing a “significant” number of civilian casualties. “We are witnessing a grave threat to international peace and security,” he said, adding that the UN Charter and international law must be respected.
“The region and the world need a way out now.,” the UN chief said. “I call for de-escalation and an immediate cessation of hostilities. The alternative is a potential wider conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability. I strongly urge all parties to return immediately to the negotiating table, notably on the Iran nuclear programme.”
Annalena Bearbock, the president of the 193-nation UN General Assembly, said in a statement, “I condemn the extremely dangerous military escalation in the Middle East. The UN Charter is clear: all Member States must settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered. They must also refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.”
“Serious concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program, regional activities, and human rights violations must be addressed in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. I call on the United States, Israel, and Iran to de-escalate, to not drag neighboring countries into this conflict and to return to diplomacy and negotiations.”
US says attacks directed at “specific and strategic” targets in Iran – US Ambassador Mike Waltz told the council, “Operation Epic Fury is directed toward specific and strategic objectives: to dismantle missile capabilities that threaten allies, to degrade naval assets used to destabilize international waters, and to disrupt the machinery that arms proxy militias and to ensure the Iranian regime, never ever can threaten the world with a nuclear weapon.”
“As President Trump said last night, for decades, the Iranian regime has willfully destabilized the world. It has killed American forces and citizens, threatened regional allies, and jeopardized the security of international shipping upon which the world depends. Its massive support for violent proxies, declared terrorist organizations – the Houthis, Hizballah, Hamas, and others – has brought bloodshed and disorder across the Middle East for far too long. This is not speculation; we know this to be true and our men and women have paid for the actions of this regime and the IRGC with their lives.”
“No responsible nation can ignore persistent aggression and violence. No responsible nation can ignore persistent aggression and violence,” Waltz said. “The regime in Tehran has led attacks that have cost American lives, hundreds of U.S. Marines in Lebanon, thousands of troops in Iraq; American hostage after hostage has suffered; our ships fired upon dozens of times in the Red Sea. Iran has armed and financed militant organizations that undermine lawful governments and destabilize an already fragile region.”
Iran urges UN Security Council to discharge its duties – Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghechi said in a letter to the UN immediately after the attacks by the US and Israel that UN Security Council members must “discharge their duties without delay.” He said his country will use all military “defensive capabilities and means to confront this criminal aggression and deter the hostile acts.”
Iran’s Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani told the council: “This morning, the United States regime – jointly and in coordination with the Israeli regime – initiated an unprovoked and premeditated aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran for the second time in recent months.”
“This is not only an act of aggression; it is a war crime and a crime against humanity,” he insisted, accusing the US and Israel of deliberately attacking civilian populated areas in multiple large cities. The invocation to ‘pre-emptive attack,’ claims of imminent threat, or other unsubstantiated political claims, are unfounded legally, morally and politically.”
Israel: Iran is an existential threat – Israel’s Ambassador Danny Danon said his country joined the US in military action against Iran to stop “an existential threat before it became irreversible.”
Danon said Israel acted out of necessity because the regime left no reasonable alternative, building nuclear weapons in disregard for international law, murdering its own citizens and crushing dissent, expanding missile arsenals and arming proxies across the region – all while declaring its intention to erase Israel from the map.
“They were building the means to force an irreversible reality with our backs against the wall. That is not a future Israel will accept,” he said. (By J. Tuyet Nguyen)
United Nations journalists – United Nations journalists – United Nations journalists
United Nations News – United Nations News – UN Correspondents Association – UNCA Awards