NEW YORK, NY – GNUSA/Revekka Papadopoulou [Photos: GANP/ Dimitrios Panagos]
The United Nations Security Council on March 11 adopted resolution 2817, condemning Iran’s “egregious attacks” against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, amid escalating violence across the Middle East. The resolution introduced by Bahrain, on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan, passed with 13 votes in favor [13-0] and 2 abstentions (China, Russian Federation). A second draft submitted by Russia was rejected.
The text specifically condemns Iran’s attacks against residential areas and civilian objects adding that “such acts constitute a breach of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security” and demanding their immediate cessation — while also demanding that Tehran halt its threats, provocations and actions aimed at interfering with maritime trade, as well as support to proxy groups across the region.
“The message is clear”, said Bahrain’s representative, Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, welcoming the Council’s adoption and the record number of 135 co-sponsors. “The international community is resolute in rejecting these Iranian unjust, hostile acts that are targeting sovereign countries and that threaten the stability of their peoples”, he added, stressing that the Gulf region is a pillar of global security, trade and economic stability, he added, emphasizing that protecting the Middle East is therefore in the entire world’s interest.
“Iran shoots in all directions”, stressed U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz, Council President for March, noting that “Iran’s strategy of sowing chaos, of trying to hold their neighbors hostage, trying to shape the resolve of the region has clearly backfired, and that was shown by this vote today”.
“This is a moment in which the voice of the international community is being heard loud and clear in the Security Council”, said Greece’s representative, Ambassador Aghi Balta, reiterating the call for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy. “Our aim should be to find ways to return to substantial negotiations towards a peaceful settlement in line with international law and the UN Charter”, she added.
Greece was among the first countries to co -sponsor the resolution.
China abstained, citing concerns that the resolution does not fully reflect the broader context of the conflict.
Russia criticized the adopted text as one‑sided and introduced its own draft, which it described as an impartial call for de‑escalation. The Council rejected that proposal with 4 votes in favor [from Russia, China, Somalia, and Pakistan], 2 against [United States and Latvia] and 9 abstentions [United Kingdom, France, Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Greece, Liberia, and Panama].
Representatives of Israel, Ambassador Danny Danon, and Iran, Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, also addressed the Council, each condemning the other’s actions as the conflict continues to widen across the region.
“Targeting civilians is wrong, targeting cities is wrong, and Iran must stop”, said Israeli Ambassador Danon, adding that “Iran shoots at the regional countries out of desperation, because it understands that the world already recognizes its true face. The regime in Tehran is trying to bring out terror and destruction, but also the Security Council is running out of patience for the Iranian aggression”.
Iranian Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said adoption of the text represented “a serious setback to the Council’s credibility”. “Let me make it clear, this resolution is a manifest injustice against my country, the main victim of a clear act of aggression,” he added.
