Iran Urges Immediate Gaza Ceasefire and Full UN Membership for Palestine

In a powerful statement at the United Nations, Ambassador Amir Saeed Iravani of the Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people, advocating for their right to self-determination. He urged for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the establishment of a just and long-lasting peace, and full Palestinian membership in the United Nations.

The following is the complete text of Iravani’s speech delivered at the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, held in New York from July 28 to 30, 2025:

Statement by H. E. Mr. Amir Saeid Iravani
Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues,

For nearly eighty years, significant concessions have been granted to the occupying regime in Palestinian territories. The policy of appeasement has proven ineffective in achieving peace, instead legitimizing and reinforcing the Israeli regime’s expansionist policies. Since 1947, the occupation and annexation of Palestinian territories and the establishment of illegal settlements have continued, worsening the violation of Palestinians’ inherent rights. Furthermore, both Syrian and Lebanese territories remain under Israeli occupation and constant aggression.

The Gaza Strip has suffered tremendous destruction at the hands of the Israeli regime, resulting in the brutal slaughter of thousands of its inhabitants. The regime also intends to annex the West Bank to previously occupied Palestinian territory. The so-called Ibrahim Accord has failed to contribute positively to the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question; rather, it has emboldened the regime to continue its destabilizing policies in Palestine and beyond.

There is not a single UN resolution regarding the Palestinian question that the Israeli regime has respected. The regime has benefited from the unwavering support of the U.S. in the Security Council, casting approximately 50 vetoes to evade justice and accountability. The unchecked flow of arms to Israel has enabled the regime to perpetrate genocidal acts in Gaza and commit war crimes in the broader region.

The regime’s brutality, in violation of international law and the UN Charter, has extended to the territory and sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran. From June 13 to 25, 2025, Iranian vital infrastructure, civilians—including women and children—and IAEA safeguarded nuclear facilities were targeted by unprovoked attacks from the Israeli regime, with direct engagement from the U.S.

Mr. President, Distinguished colleagues,

We reiterate the Islamic Republic of Iran’s steadfast support for the Palestinian people in achieving their inalienable right to self-determination. Iran believes in resisting apartheid, foreign intervention, and occupation while seeking to promote the peaceful resolution of disputes. Over the last two years, Iran has consistently called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and has warned the international community about the potential for the conflict to spill over into the wider region should Israeli aggression continue.

The UN Charter prescribes the principle of self-determination, imposing upon the organization the duty to respect each nation’s right to freely choose its destiny. With this conviction, the Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms its principled stance that lasting peace and security in the region can only be achieved through the establishment of an independent, sovereign State of Palestine—reflecting the genuine will of its original inhabitants, whether Muslim, Jew, or Christian, as expressed in a free and inclusive referendum. Accordingly, Iran has registered its plan to hold a nationwide referendum among the Palestinian people to determine the future of their country, as outlined in document S/2019/862.

Mr. President,

It is undeniable that the political successes achieved by the Palestinians thus far are the result of their sacrifices and resistance against the Israeli regime. The blood of thousands of innocent Palestinians shed in the last two years has rendered futile the attempts to diminish the Palestinian cause in the international arena.

Mr. President,

The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that any genuine initiative aimed at realizing the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people must include the following core principles:

1. Achieving a Just and Lasting Peace: A just and lasting peace in Palestine can only be realized through the full acknowledgment of the Palestinian people’s inherent right to self-determination and the complete end of occupation, apartheid, and colonial domination. Any revival of failed formulas only legitimizes aggression and entrenches injustice.
2. Immediate Ceasefire: An immediate and unconditional ceasefire must be enforced, alongside full humanitarian access to Gaza and all occupied Palestinian territories. This ceasefire should lead to the reconstruction of Gaza, respecting the rights of the Palestinians.
3. Rejection of Forced Displacement: All forms of forced displacement, including so-called “safe zones” or buffer zones, must be categorically rejected. These unlawful ideas constitute grave breaches of international law and should not be normalized.
4. Palestine’s UN Membership: The admission of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations must be prioritized. The Security Council is duty-bound to recommend Palestine’s membership, which would reflect the overwhelming will of the international community.
5. Accountability for Violations: The occupying regime must be held accountable for its systematic violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including war crimes and its ongoing illegal occupation.

Any attempt to normalize relations with the Israeli occupying regime while it continues its illegal occupation and atrocities is a betrayal of international law and justice. Such actions undermine regional peace and security and grant unwarranted legitimacy to the criminal practices of the Israeli regime.

We advocate for a sustainable solution, emphasizing that any approach rooted in injustice, apartheid, or inequality will not endure.