New York, June 21, 2025 – Iran and Israel engaged in a fiery exchange during an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council, as both countries defended their positions amid rising regional hostilities and growing international concern over the possibility of direct military confrontation.
The meeting, convened to address the escalating conflict and fears of nuclear escalation, saw sharp accusations and defiant posturing from both delegations. Iran’s representative declared that the Islamic Republic would continue to exercise its right to self-defence in the face of what it described as repeated and unlawful Israeli military aggression. He warned that Iran would not halt its defensive operations until the attacks cease.
“Our sovereignty is under assault, and as long as Israel continues its provocations, we will not remain silent,” the Iranian envoy stated.
In a strongly worded rebuttal, Israel’s representative insisted that its strikes were necessary to dismantle what it called an “imminent nuclear threat” posed by Iran. The envoy accused Tehran of using its nuclear programme as a cover to destabilise the region and vowed that Israel would act decisively to protect its national security.
“We will not wait for a nuclear-armed Iran,” the Israeli delegate said. “Our actions are defensive and targeted at stopping a looming existential threat.”
The Security Council session was marked by repeated calls from other member states for de-escalation and restraint. Several delegations urged both nations to prioritise diplomacy and return to international frameworks designed to resolve nuclear disputes and regional tensions.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, through his spokesperson, reiterated his appeal for restraint and dialogue, warning that further military escalation could have catastrophic consequences for global peace and security.
The exchange highlights the deteriorating relations between the two regional rivals and the mounting pressure on global powers to intervene diplomatically before the situation spirals further out of control. Despite calls for calm, neither Iran nor Israel showed signs of backing down, leaving the Security Council in a state of unease as fears of a broader conflict loom.
