Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, has denounced Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, warning that the attacks violate international law and pose serious global risks. Speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday, Nebenzia accused Israel of acting with impunity, backed by its Western allies, reports RT.
“These are completely unprovoked attacks—regardless of what Israel claims—and they represent a gross violation of the UN Charter,” Nebenzia said. “All responsibility for the consequences lies with the Israeli leadership and those who support them.”
The condemnation comes after Israel launched strikes on Iranian uranium enrichment sites and carried out targeted assassinations of senior Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists. Israel defended its actions as preemptive, aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran has denied that its nuclear program has any military purpose.
In retaliation, Iran fired multiple ballistic missiles at Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, significantly escalating regional tensions. Tehran has since declared that the attacks have closed the door on diplomacy, including indirect US-Iran nuclear talks that had been scheduled to resume this week.
Nebenzia suggested that Israel’s actions were intended to derail those talks and provoke further confrontation. He also raised alarm over the potential for radiation leaks from the targeted facilities and reiterated that there is no legitimate military solution to the issue.
Highlighting Iran’s past compliance with the 2015 UN-backed nuclear deal—abandoned by the US under former President Donald Trump—Nebenzia said Tehran had a right to defend itself and accused the West of fueling the current crisis.
“The United States and its allies have done everything to inflame the situation,” he added. “Their support has emboldened Israel to take these radical steps.”
Iran’s UN envoy, Amir-Saeid Iravani, described the Israeli strikes as “a chilling display of calculated aggression” that “amounted to a declaration of war.” He called on the international community to address Israel’s undeclared nuclear arsenal, which the Israeli government neither confirms nor denies.
Israeli ambassador Danny Danon defended the strikes, stating that Israel acted to protect itself from existential threats posed by Iran. “Israel is a democracy under siege,” Danon said. “We acted to prevent our destruction. What if those Iranian missiles had carried nuclear warheads?”
As the Security Council remains divided, the prospect of renewed diplomacy appears increasingly uncertain. Observers warn that further escalation could deepen instability across the Middle East and derail any hopes for a peaceful resolution.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
