UN Security Council to Convene Emergency Meeting Tomorrow... International Community Urges Iran to Refrain from War

Discussion on Iran's Attack on Israel
UN Secretary-General's Statement: "Maximum Restraint by All Parties"
Middle Eastern Countries Also Express Concern Over Escalation

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held an emergency meeting on the afternoon of the 14th (local time) to discuss Iran's attack on Israel.

According to major foreign media, a spokesperson for Malta, the rotating president of the UNSC, stated that at Israel's request, they aim to hold an emergency meeting at 4 p.m. on the 14th.

The UNSC plans to discuss Iran's unprecedented mainland attack on Israel carried out that day and the worsening situation in the Middle East during the emergency meeting.

On October 30 last year (local time), a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting was held at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA. As Israel effectively launched a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, the meeting was urgently convened at the request of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a Security Council member. 2023.10.31 [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Iran launched a sudden airstrike on the Israeli mainland using hundreds of armed drones and missiles. This came just 12 days after Israel bombed the Iranian consulate in Damascus, the capital of Syria, on the 1st, eliminating a senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). At that time, Iran publicly warned of retaliatory attacks against Israel.

Upon Iran's attack that day, Israel immediately requested the convening of an emergency UNSC meeting.

Meanwhile, the international community expressed concern as the retaliatory airstrike raised the possibility of an escalation in the Middle East.

UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres strongly condemned Iran's attack and urged restraint from both Iran and Israel. In a statement, Secretary-General Guterres said, "I am deeply concerned about the real risks posed by destructive escalation across the region," and called on "all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid actions that could lead to large-scale military confrontations in various parts of the Middle East."

Ant?nio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General
Photo by Yonhap News Agency

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued a statement condemning "the reckless attack by the Iranian regime on Israel in the strongest terms," and criticized that "such attacks risk escalating tensions and destabilizing the region." He added, "(The UK) will continue to support the security of all regional partners, including Israel, Jordan, and Iraq," and stated, "We are urgently working with allies to prevent further escalation."

Middle Eastern countries also expressed concern, wary of the possibility of escalation. Saudi authorities expressed deep concern about the expansion of military tensions in the Middle East and the seriousness of its impact.

They also called on all parties to exercise "the highest level of restraint" to protect the region and its people from the risk of war.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged "maximum restraint" to protect the Middle East region and its people from additional factors of instability and tension. Additionally, sources explained that the Egyptian military authorities have formed a separate team to monitor the situation and make necessary decisions related to airspace defense.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.