UN Security Council members on Wednesday condemned the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital Tehran, while permanent representatives the US and UK blamed Iran for destabilizing the region.
The Council convened an emergency session on the killing of Haniyeh at the request of Iran, which was supported by Russia, Algeria, and China.
Speaking at the session, Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong said China strongly condemns the assassination of Haniyeh.
Calling the incident “a blatant attempt to sabotage peace efforts,” Cong stressed that “China is deeply worried about an exacerbation of the upheaval in the region that this incident may trigger.”
Similarly, Algeria’s envoy to the UN, Amar Bendjama, said: “We are on the precipice of catastrophe,” adding that Israel’s attack was “an act of terror” that violated international law and the sovereignty of Iran.
“This is not merely an attack on one man. It is a vicious assault on the very foundations of diplomatic relations, the sanctity of state sovereignty, and the principles that underpin our global order,” he said.
US Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Robert Wood told the Council that “Israel has a right to defend itself against attacks from Hezbollah and other terrorists.”
Saying that the US was not involved in the attack carried out by Israel in the southern region of Beirut, Wood said “there is no doubt, absolutely none, that Hezbollah was responsible for this attack.”
Noting that Hezbollah has been carrying out attacks on Israel since Oct. 8 last year with Iran’s support, he said the UN Security Council members should not tolerate these attacks.
Wood emphasized that Iran must comply with Security Council resolutions and that the Council should consider additional measures against Iran’s actions that threaten regional peace and security.
He also said that the US had no connection to Haniyeh’s death.
“A broader war is neither imminent nor inevitable,” said Wood, adding that Iran and the “terrorist proxies” it supports constantly trigger the risk of regional conflict.
Wood called on the Council members with influence over Iran to increase pressure on Tehran.
UK envoy Barbara Woodward also emphasized that increasing violence is in no one’s interest.
Urging calm and immediate restraint, Woodward said: “Long-term peace will not be secured by bombs and bullets.”
She noted that the Iran-backed Houthi group continued their attacks on Israel and said this must end.
She also reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security, saying that Israel has the right to self-defense.
