India co-sponsored a resolution in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that condemned the “horrific” attacks by Iran against Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan. The resolution further demands an immediate cessation of all attacks by Iran while denouncing its threats of closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The 15-nation Security Council, currently under the presidency of the United States, adopted the resolution on Wednesday with 13 votes in favour, none against and abstentions by veto-wielding permanent members China and Russia.
The resolution, which had a total of 135 co-sponsors, reiterated its strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. India is the co-sponsor for the Bahrain-led resolution along with over 130 nations, including Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Yemen and Zambia.
What’s in the resolution?
It condemned in the “strongest terms the egregious (horrific) attacks” by Iran against the territories of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, calling such attacks a breach of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security.
It reaffirmed that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels, in accordance with international law, must be respected, particularly around critical maritime routes, and takes note of the right of Member States, in accordance with international law, to “defend their vessels from attacks and provocations, including those that undermine navigational rights and freedoms”.
The resolution condemned any actions or threats by Iran aimed at closing, obstructing, or otherwise interfering with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, or threatening maritime security in the Bab Al Mandab. It then condemns the attacks on residential areas and civilian objects, leading to casualties and damage to buildings, and expresses solidarity with these countries and their people.
It called upon Iran to refrain immediately from any actions or threats in accordance with international law and to comply fully with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, particularly regarding the protection of civilians and civilian objects in armed conflict.
Iran’s take —
Iran’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani described the Council’s action as “unjust and unlawful", inconsistent with the United Nations Charter and international law, and an action that completely disregards the established principles governing the determination of acts of aggression and breaches of the peace.
“Make no mistake: today it is Iran; tomorrow it could be any other sovereign state,” he said.
Iravani said that since the start of the conflict on February 28, the continued military strikes by the US and Israel have killed more than 1,348 civilians, including women and children, more than 17,000 civilians injured, and destroyed or damaged 19,734 civilian sites. These include 16,191 residential homes, 1,617 commercial and service centres, 77 medical and pharmaceutical facilities, 65 schools and educational institutions, 16 Red Crescent buildings, and multiple energy infrastructure facilities.
“The scale and systematic nature of these attacks clearly constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity,” the Iranian envoy said.
Iravani added that Iran “remains committed” to maintaining friendly relations with the countries in the Persian Gulf region, based on mutual respect, the principle of good-neighbourliness, and respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Iran reemphasises that its defensive operations targeting United States military bases and facilities in the region are in no way against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the regional countries.”
“Although the Israeli regime has succeeded in dragging the US into a regional conflict, Iran’s relations with its neighbours are rooted in long-standing historical, cultural, and geographical ties. Once the current tensions diminish, Iran and its neighbouring countries will inevitably return to their traditional relations of cooperation, mutual respect, and good neighbourliness,” he said.
Iravani added that Iran has consistently honoured its obligations, respected international law, and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, saying that the claim that his country has closed the Strait “is simply untrue”.
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