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Tensions soar as Israel and Iran engage in a heated exchange of accusations during an emergency session of the UN Security Council convened in the aftermath of Tehran's barrage of rockets and drones targeting Israel over the weekend.
Iran's envoy to the UN, Amir Saeed Iravani, asserts his country's stance, declaring Iran's readiness to "proportionately respond" to any potential military actions by the United States. Justifying the recent attack on Israel, Iravani cites perceived provocations by Israeli forces, including the strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus and the killing of Iranian commanders in Syria, framing Iran's actions as acts of self-defense.
In a stark rebuttal, Israel's representative to the UN, Gilad Erdan, condemns Iran's actions as flagrant violations of international law. Erdan presented evidence, including video footage, purportedly showing Israeli forces intercepting an Iranian drone over the revered Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, underscoring the gravity of Iran's provocations.
Echoing Israel's call for condemnation, restoration of sanctions, and designation of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasizes the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza and the safe release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, urging swift action from the international community.
Amid the diplomatic jousting, US Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Robert Wood, underscored the Security Council's obligation to hold Iran accountable for its actions, while British envoy Barbara Woodward reaffirmed Britain's commitment to Israel's security.
However, Russian representative Vasily Nebenzya criticized the meeting as "hypocritical" and highlighted Iran's retaliatory strikes as responses to Israeli aggression against a diplomatic mission.
Israel's Holocaust remembrance centre, Yad Vashem, has identified the names of five million Jews who were killed by the Nazis during World War II
Iran has announced plans to build eight new nuclear power plants with Russian support as part of a major expansion of its clean energy sector
The remains of Bulgarian-Israeli hostage Sahar Baruch have been formally identified through forensic testing after being returned from Gaza to Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to launch immediate and “powerful strikes” on Gaza, following reports that Hamas had opened fire on Israeli forces in the south of the enclave
United States Vice President JD Vance expressed cautious optimism on Tuesday that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza is likely to hold
Hamas has completed the release of all living Israeli hostages, following the handover of a second group of 13 individuals to the Red Cross
Former German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has described Germany’s misunderstanding of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intentions as one of the greatest failures in the country’s foreign policy
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has criticized Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic after his recent remarks to a German publication about selling ammunition to European Union countries
The European Commission has introduced stricter rules on issuing visas to Russian citizens
Romania has urged the United States to reconsider its plan to withdraw hundreds of troops stationed in the country, warning that such a move could undermine NATO’s unity and play into Russia’s hands
Russia currently has the capacity to carry out a limited strike on NATO territory at any time, although whether it will do so depends largely on the stance of Western allies
NATO has regained the upper hand in ammunition production, surpassing Russia after a period during which Moscow outpaced the alliance
Bulgaria's Strategic Role in the EU's Drone Wall Defense Initiative
When Politics Means Violence
