Iran seeks an urgent gathering of the UN Security Council
After the fatal bombing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli air raid in Lebanon, Iran has petitioned for an urgently scheduled assembly at the UN Security Council. Iran is publicly condemning Nasrallah's assassination by Israel as per a letter penned by Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani to the council's 15 members.
Iravani urges the Security Council to swiftly intervene and halt Israel's continuous aggression, avoiding a full-blown conflict in the region. Iran reserves the right to take necessary actions under international law, according to the message.
China also reported signs of anxiety over the crisis in the Middle East. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated they were vigilantly monitoring developments and deeply troubled by the intensifying tensions in the region. They urged all involved parties, specifically Israel, to deescalate the situation as quickly as possible.
Tragedy in the heart of Beirut
When questioned about the likelihood of an Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon, US President Joe Biden commented that "it's time for a truce." Previously, he had labeled Nasrallah's demise as "a righteous act" in vengeance for his victims. Israel has the rights to defend itself against terror groups backed by Iran. After conversing with Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy advocated for an immediate halt to hostilities. "We concur an immediate cessation of violence is essential to put a stop to the bloodshed," he stated. France also asked Israel to cease its attacks swiftly. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot expressed France's opposition to an Israeli ground operation in Lebanon.
Nasrallah was slain on a Friday in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs. This influential figure in Lebanon was regarded as one of the nation's most powerful men. The Israeli military claimed that Nasrallah was killed during a Hezbollah leadership gathering at its Beirut suburb headquarters.
The state-run Iranian news agency Irna reported the death of Abbas Nilforoushan, the deputy commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared a 5-day mourning period following the tragedy. Iran's first vice-president, Mohammad-Reza Aref, threatened Israel, promising that Nasrallah's demise would spark its demise, according to the Iranian news agency Isna. In response, the Iranian Foreign Ministry, which financially supports Hezbollah, wrote on its X service that Nasrallah's legacy would endure, and "his sacred objective will be realized with the liberation of Jerusalem," God willing.
Iran has been backing Hezbollah for years, with its armed wing being labeled as a terrorist organization by the EU. This Shia militia is an integral part of the so-called "Resistance Axis" led by Iran, consisting of the radical Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Houthi militia in Yemen, Iraqi and Syrian Shia factions, and allied groups. Their primary objective is to confront Israel.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the escalating tension in the Middle East, particularly the crisis in Lebanon, and called for all parties involved, including Israel, to deescalate the situation promptly. Recognizing the global implications of this situation, China might consider engaging with international bodies like the UN to maintain peace and stability in the region, given China's notable role as a permanent member of the Security Council.
