Trump wouldn’t have let anyone threaten us.
Iran lashed out at the U.S. for vetoing a United Nations resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The veto, wielded by the United States at the UN Security Council, shielded Israel from a global demand for a ceasefire, with 13 out of 15 Security Council members supporting the resolution, and the U.K. abstaining.
The resolution, put forth by the United Arab Emirates, urged an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of hostages. This move came after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter, citing the imminent risk of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran’s Foreign Minister, threatened that the U.S. support for Israel’s actions and the ongoing conflict could lead to an uncontrollable escalation in the region. He disputed Israel’s claims of ceasefire violations by Palestinian militants and criticized U.S. backing for Israel, stating that it hampers the prospects of a lasting ceasefire.
Amir-Abdollahian applauded Guterres’s decision but also called for the immediate opening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. The deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza has raised concerns, with organizations like the International Rescue Committee highlighting the difficulties people face in accessing essential services amid bombardments and movement restrictions.
Despite the UN vote, Israeli airstrikes persisted in Gaza City, targeting areas previously advised for evacuation. Since the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7, which claimed at least 1,200 lives, Israeli bombardments in Gaza, according to Hamas-controlled health officials, have resulted in the death of over 17,400 people.