Geneva, Switzerland. Gulf Arab states told the U.N. Human Rights Council they face an existential threat from Iran, condemning Iranian attacks on their infrastructure. U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk said deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure may constitute war crimes.
Gulf states condemn Iranian strikes
Gulf representatives said the nearly month-long U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has sparked large-scale Iranian retaliation, including drone and missile strikes on energy and civilian infrastructure in Gulf countries, killing civilians and driving up oil prices.
“We are seeing an existential threat to international and regional security. This aggressive approach is undermining international law and sovereignty,” Kuwait’s ambassador Naser Abdullah H. M. Alhayen told the Geneva-based council. Other Gulf states also denounced Iran’s actions, saying they were designed to spread terror.
Council to vote on motion
Countries at the 47-member council are set to vote on a motion condemning Iran’s strikes, calling on Iran to provide reparation and requesting that the U.N. rights chief monitor the situation.
Iran defends actions and calls for emergency session
Iran defended its actions, saying more than 1,500 civilians had been killed so far in the U.S.-Israeli strikes. “We fight on behalf of all of you against an enemy that, if not restrained today, will be beyond containment tomorrow,” said Iran’s ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva Ali Bahreini, referring to Israel.
Iran has also called for its own emergency session on a fatal strike on a primary school, scheduled to take place on Friday.
U.N. rights chief urges end to conflict
Turk urged states to end the Iran conflict, describing the situation as extremely dangerous and unpredictable.
“This conflict has an unprecedented power to ensnare countries across borders and around the world,” he said.
“Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure must end. If they are deliberate, such attacks may constitute war crimes.”
How do you think the U.N. Human Rights Council should respond to claims of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure?
