Politics AMERICA, ARMS TRADE, ASIA, CHINA, CONFLICT, DIPLOMACY, DOROTHY SHEA, EUROPE/ASIA, FU CONG, IRAN, ISRAEL, KHUSHBOO RAZDAN, LEBANON-ISRAEL BORDER, MARK MAGNIER, MEXICO, MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AMERICA, NUCLEAR POLICY, NUCLEAR WEAPONS, RUSSIA, TEHRAN, UN, UN SECURITY COUNCIL, UNITED STATES, US Clara Montgomery June 23, 2025 0 Comments

China, US at Loggerheads in Emergency UN Security Council Meeting on Iran

In an emergency UN Security Council meeting, tensions peaked between China and the US over airstrikes in Iran. China called for an immediate ceasefire and civilian protection, while the US justified its actions as necessary for defense. The session highlighted significant geopolitical divides amid ongoing violence in the region, with both nations making their stances clear amid the Israel-Iran conflict.

In an emergency session of the UN Security Council, tensions flared between China and the United States in the wake of US military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. This escalation comes amid an intense air war between Israel and Iran, significantly heightening the geopolitical stakes. In essence, both nations seem to be battling over narratives as the global community watches closely.

China’s ambassador to the UN, Fu Cong, expressed urgent calls for a ceasefire, emphasizing the need to protect innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. “We call for effective protection of civilians. The ultimate victims of all conflicts are the innocent people,” Fu stated, highlighting the dire humanitarian impact of ongoing hostilities.

Despite a shared acknowledgment of the necessity for peace, the council’s discussions quickly bifurcated into entrenched positions, with China and Russia siding with Iran and condemning the US military actions. Here, the US found allies justifying the strikes as crucial for national and global security amid ongoing threats from Iran.

US Ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Shea, reiterated strong sentiments against Iran, citing decades of provocation. “For 40 years, the Iranian government has called for death to America and death to Israel,” she remarked, positioning Iran as a consistent threat to regional peace.

Shea indicated that decisive action was necessary in defense of US interests and its ally, Israel. “The time finally came for the United States in the defense of its ally and in the defense of our own citizens and interest to act decisively,” Shea warned, asserting that Iran would face severe retaliation should it harm US personnel in the area.

The back-and-forth rhetoric comes as the conflict escalates with both Israel and Iran trading significant strikes since June 13, when Israel initiated air operations claiming Iran was close to assembling a nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, Iran maintains its nuclear ambitions are peaceful, denying any intentions toward weaponization.

In light of these developments, live updates are being tracked as the international community reacts to this increasing volatility in the Middle East.

The UN Security Council meeting illuminated deep divisions over US military intervention in Iran, with China and Russia voicing strong support for Iran against American actions. As the international community grapples with the escalating conflict, the calls for peace and stability appear overshadowed by rising tensions and retaliatory threats. The situation remains fluid, with significant implications for regional and global security.

Original Source: www.scmp.com