TEHRAN- The Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Iran to the UN issued a strong warning against any aggressive acts by the Israeli regime that could have a major impact on regional peace and security.

Addressing a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Syria on Thursday, Amir Saeid Iravani said that Iran wants the Security Council to condemn the destabilizing activities of the Israeli regime and the severe violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, which is a threat to peace and stability in the region.

The full text of Iravani’s speech is as follows:

The humanitarian situation in Syria remains extremely challenging.

People are grappling with economic hardships, worsened by the US' imposition of unlawful sanctions.

Adding to this challenge is the difficult underfunding of the Humanitarian Response Plan, with only 32 percent of the needed funds secured.

This significant shortfall is seriously hindering the capacity of the UN. 

A commitment to impartial assistance is crucial to ensuring that humanitarian efforts serve the needs of the affected people without being influenced by political considerations.

Donors must refrain from using aid to exert political pressure on the Syrian government.

On the political track, we support the resuming of meetings of the Constitutional Committee as an effective mechanism for advancing the political process.

We support the Special Envoy's efforts and his diplomatic engagement with the parties to facilitate the resumption of Committee meetings and to advance the political process.

The United Nations' role should remain supportive, ensuring that the entire process is guided by Syrian leadership and ownership.
Iran stands in favor of the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.

The United Nations, especially the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), plays a central role in this undertaking.

We appreciate and support the engagement and constructive dialogue between the Syrian officials and the UN in addressing this pressing issue.

The security situation in areas controlled by illegal foreign forces and under occupation is a matter of serious concern. The primary source of insecurity is the unlawful presence and continued occupation of US military forces, creating an environment conducive to the growth of terrorist activities within Syria and the broader region.

At the same time, the Israeli regime persists in its acts of aggression against Syrian territory.

In parallel with the atrocities in the Gaza Strip, this regime engages in terrorism and aggression within Syrian borders, intentionally targeting civilians and critical infrastructure.

We strongly condemn the terrorist attack on its military advisors in Syria on 2 December, where two Iranian advisors were martyred during their mission to support the Syrian Army against terrorism. 

We reaffirm the inherent right of the Syrian Arab Republic under international law, to take all necessary measures in response to terrorist attacks and acts of aggression by the Israeli regime. 
We warn against any provocative actions by the Israeli regime that could seriously impact peace and security in the region.

Iran calls on the Security Council to condemn the destabilizing activities of the Israeli regime and its severe violation of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity, which pose a threat to peace and stability in the region. 

In conclusion, Mr. President, I must address the groundless allegation made against my country by the representative of the United States that was repeated by the UK, in this chamber, which is categorically rejected. 

Contrary to the unfounded claim, Iran has consistently demonstrated its commitment to promoting peace and security in the region.

The United States is fully responsible for its decades-long aggressions, along with other crimes and unlawful measures in our region.

Obstructing the Security Council from fulfilling its Charter-based duties to establish a ceasefire and to stop the Israeli war machine against the people of Gaza for more than two months demonstrates the US's real concerns about the spillover of the tension and peace and security in the region!

“Iran pledged to support peace in Afghanistan”

Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on Afghanistan in New York on Wednesday, Iravani also noted that international engagements should not only seek a normalization of ties with the ruling Taliban administration or its recognition, but also contribute to improving the situation for people in the Central Asian country.

“Iran remains steadfast in its commitment to close collaboration with neighboring countries, relevant partners, and the United Nations to promote lasting peace, security, and stability in Afghanistan,” he said.

“We hope that the de facto authorities will fulfill their international obligations, particularly in upholding their obligations to the neighbors.”

The ambassador also emphasized the grave threat that the ongoing existence of terrorist groups linked to Daesh and al-Qaeda posed to Afghanistan and its neighbors.

As a neighbor that is directly influenced by the situation in Afghanistan and is hosting millions of Afghans, he went on to say that Iran has continued its “active engagement” with the ruling side in Kabul.

“This engagement was conducted both bilaterally and through neighboring and regional mechanisms…, aiming to enhance and improve the humanitarian situation and facilitate Afghanistan's economic recovery,” Iravani added.

Additionally, he underlined that in order to promote Afghanistan’s economic development, impartial humanitarian aid and the easing of sanctions are essential. 

The envoy, meantime, condemned the Afghan authorities for severely restricting women’s and girls’ access to education and for failing to take any action to “achieve genuine ethnic and political inclusion” in the nation.