Iran Stands with Qatar: UN Envoy Affirms Right to Self-Defense

On Thursday, during an emergency session of the UN Security Council, Amir-Saeed Iravani, Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, was set to deliver a crucial statement. However, due to time constraints and the meeting’s structure, the Iranian delegation could not present its remarks. This highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the conflict involving Qatar and the Israeli regime, which continue to dominate discussions at international forums.

During the session, speaking time was predominantly allocated to the two main parties involved in the conflict—Qatar and Israel—along with delegations from Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Unfortunately, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kyrgyzstan, Bahrain, Oman, and Iran were unable to voice their perspectives. This situation raises concerns about the representation of all nations in critical discussions.

Below is the full text of Iran’s intended statement:

“Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this emergency meeting. Allow me at the outset to extend our congratulations to the Republic of Korea on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We also commend Panama for its successful leadership and valuable contributions during its presidency in August. We welcome the presence of the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar in this meeting.

We also thank Algeria, Pakistan, and Somalia for requesting and supporting the convening of this meeting, and we express our appreciation to USG, Ms. DiCarlo for her valuable briefing. We align ourselves with the statement delivered by the representative of Turkey on behalf of the OIC Member States.

We reaffirm the OIC’s principled and unwavering position, rooted in its Charter and reinforced through successive summit and ministerial resolutions, firmly rejecting any aggression against the sovereignty and security of its member states. The most recent expression of this position was the resolution adopted at the 51st Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, held on 22 June 2025 in Istanbul. That resolution unequivocally and strongly condemned the United States and Israeli armed attacks against Iran and called upon the Security Council to urgently address the grave threat to international peace and security, and to take decisive measures under Chapter VII of the Charter to compel the Israeli regime to immediately cease its aggression.”

Mr. President, the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly and unequivocally condemns the terrorist aggression and armed attacks carried out by the Zionist regime against the state of Qatar. These attacks have resulted in the martyrdom and injury of several Palestinian and Qatari civilians, and Iran expresses its solidarity and support with the State of Qatar.

Iran firmly supports Qatar’s right to self-defense under international law and the UN Charter. This includes the right to respond to reckless violations and to take all necessary political, diplomatic, and legal measures to protect its citizens, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

The military aggression by the Israeli regime against Qatar is a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. The ongoing genocide in occupied Palestine, repeated acts of aggression and terrorism against Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and now Qatar demonstrates that this regime poses an imminent threat to regional and international peace and security.

On 13 June, with full US support and American weapons, Israel launched a large-scale, unprovoked war against the Islamic Republic of Iran, targeting civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities. Despite three emergency meetings, the Security Council failed to act due to the unconditional protection of the United States. This inaction has emboldened Israel to continue its crimes across the region with impunity.

It is regrettable that by neglecting its mandate, the Security Council has effectively normalized Israel’s crimes in Gaza and its aggressions in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and now Qatar. The criminal Prime Minister of the Zionist regime has openly threatened other countries in the region, declaring that wherever the political leaders of Hamas may be present, Israel will launch attacks.

If the Security Council fails to act today, another country will inevitably be added to Israel’s list of aggressions, and this regime will once again commit acts of aggression with complete impunity.

Therefore, the Council cannot remain silent in the face of such blatant acts of aggression. It must adopt a binding Chapter VII resolution that:

Determines that Israel’s illegal use of force and armed attacks constitute breaches of the peace and acts of aggression under Article 39 of the Charter;
Condemns these acts of aggression strongly and unequivocally;
Holds Israel fully accountable for its violations of Qatari sovereignty;
Warns that any repetition will trigger enforcement measures;
Clarifies that any military, intelligence, logistical, or political support—or silence in failing to condemn such aggression—amounts to complicity in aggression.

Mr. President, the Council’s failure to act at this grave juncture would constitute a profound abdication of its responsibilities and a betrayal of the very principles on which the United Nations was founded. Inaction will only embolden the aggressor, undermine international law, and communicate a message of dangerous impunity across the world.

We believe that ending the war-mongering and atrocities of the Zionist regime across the region, particularly in Gaza and occupied Palestine, requires unity and concrete coordination among the countries of the region. This can be achieved through the severance of all economic and diplomatic ties with this regime.

Iran emphasizes the urgent need for decisive action by regional countries and the international community to hold this regime accountable for its persistent breaches of international norms.

Thank you, Mr. President.”

MNA/IRN