The UN Security Council (UNSC) assumed On Thursday, he passed a legally binding resolution condemning Iran’s attacks on other Gulf states and calling on Iranian forces to immediately cease hostilities.
Sponsored by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), an international organization consisting of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, the resolution was approved with 13 out of 15 votes. Although there were no votes against the resolution, Russia and China abstained. In particular, both countries decided against using their right of veto and in favor of allowing the resolution.
It said the resolution marked “the largest number of countries ever to co-sponsor a draft Security Council resolution,” with 135 countries joining the Gulf Cooperation Council.
On February 28, the US, along with Israeli forces, launched attacks across Iran, which Iran then launched Retaliatory attacks throughout the Middle East. The adopted resolution serves as the United Nations Security Council’s response to the deteriorating situation in the region.
On Tuesday, the UN rights envoy spoke about the damage the conflict has inflicted on civilians worldwide and highlighted the dangers posed to civilian health and the environment. The African Union Commission also expressed concern about the ongoing attacks on energy and transport infrastructure and noted the impact of the conflict on energy security and trade routes.
The United Nations Security Council has now officially declared that Iranian attacks on other Gulf states violate international law. Experts pointed to violations of the UN Charter Article 2.4which obliges member states to refrain from using force against other states. The Council also expressed its disapproval of Iranian attacks on key infrastructure such as ports and energy facilities. As an officially adopted resolution, the demand for an end to hostilities is now a binding part of international law.
Iran’s U.N. Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani called the resolution a “blatant injustice” against Iran as “the main victim of clear aggression,” citing the catastrophic U.S.-Israeli attacks that reignited hostilities. While American-Israeli actions have also been accused of violating international and domestic laws, the UN Security Council recently ruled failed to pass a resolution calling for an immediate halt to all military activity in the Middle East. The US voted against the resolution.
