United Nations. The U.N. Security Council met Sunday to discuss U.S. attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, with Russia, China and Pakistan urging the 15-member body to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire in the Middle East.
"The US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities marks a dangerous turn," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council."We must act—immediately and decisively—to stop the fighting and return to serious and sustained negotiations on Iran's nuclear program."
The world awaited Iran's response after President Donald Trump said the United States had "razed" Tehran's key nuclear sites, joining Israel in the biggest Western military action against the Islamic republic since its 1979 revolution. Russia and China condemned the US attacks.
"Peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved through the use of force. Dialogue and negotiation are the fundamental way out at this time," said Chinese Ambassador to the UN Fu Cong."Diplomatic means to address the Iranian nuclear issue have not been exhausted, and there is still hope for a peaceful solution."
But acting U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Dorothy Shea told the council that the time had come for Washington to act decisively, urging the body to call on Iran to end its effort to eliminate Israel and halt its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
"Iran has long concealed its nuclear weapons program and blocked our good faith efforts in recent negotiations," he declared."The Iranian regime cannot have a nuclear weapon."
Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia recalled that former Secretary of State Colin Powell argued before the UN Security Council in 2003 that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein posed an imminent danger to the world due to the country's arsenal of chemical and biological weapons.
"Once again, we are being asked to believe America's fairy tales, to inflict suffering once again on millions of people living in the Middle East. This reinforces our conviction that history has taught our American colleagues nothing," he said.
Iran requested the UN Security Council meeting, asking it"to address this flagrant and illegal act of aggression and condemn it in the strongest possible terms."
It was unclear when the Council might vote on the draft resolution. Russia, China, and Pakistan have asked Council members to share their comments by Monday afternoon. To pass, the resolution requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the United States, France, Great Britain, Russia, or China.
The United States is likely to oppose the draft resolution, seen by Reuters, which also condemns attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. The text does not name the United States or Israel.
