Iran, Israel trade accusations at UN Security Council

Israel and Iran accused each other of being the main threat to peace in the Middle East at the UN Security Council.

Addressing the emergency meeting, Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani insisted Tehran was exercising its “inherent right to self-defence” after its unprecedented strikes on Israel.

“The Security Council … failed in its duty to maintain international peace and security,” Iravani said. Therefore, Tehran “had no choice” but to respond, adding Iran does “not seek escalation or war” but will respond to any “threat or aggression”.

“It is time for the Security Council to shoulder its responsibility and address the real threat to international peace and security,” Iravani said.

Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan said: “The mask is off. Iran – the number one global sponsor of terror – has exposed its true face as the destabilizer of the region and the world. The mask comes off and the gloves must come on.” He told the UNSC to “take action.”