Iran Urges Unified Stances against Israeli Crimes

Abbas Araqchi on Monday delivered a speech, via videoconference, to a virtual extraordinary ministerial meeting of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations, held to discuss the humanitarian situation of the Middle East.

What follows is the full text of the Iranian minister’s speech:

I would like to express my gratitude to my dear friend, Minister Yvan Gil, for convening and chairing this important meeting.

We gather at a pivotal moment in modern history, with grave humanitarian crises unfolding in West Asia due to continued Israeli genocide, aggressions and grave violations of international law.

 I also wish to warmly welcome the Republic of Uganda for joining our group and reinforcing our shared commitment to defending the values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

Mr. Chairman,

Distinguished colleagues,

Nowadays, the credibility of the United Nations Charter, which embodies the collective aspirations of nations for peace and justice, is in question. A single UN member is undermining the effectiveness of the UN system by flagrantly violating the principles and rules of international law, including the UN Charter.

As the humanitarian crisis worsens in West Asia, particularly in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, the deliberate undermining of UNRWA by Israel further aggravates the plight of millions who rely on its essential services.

The international community, having learned the painful lessons of two world wars, has rarely witnessed such blatant disregard for the foundational norms of international law. The atrocities in Gaza and Lebanon reveal a shocking reality: a war strategy that dismisses humanity, morality, and universally recognized principles in favor of unlawful aggression.

Mr. Chairman,

The suffering in Palestine is the tragic result of eight decades of occupation and the persistent denial of Palestinian rights, particularly their inalienable right to self-determination. The Security Council, entrusted with maintaining global peace, has failed to hold the occupier accountable, implement its own resolutions, or facilitate the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with full UN membership.

Even as we speak, civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza continue to face indiscriminate bombardments. Advanced weaponry supplied by certain Western states, notably the United States, has exacerbated the crisis. Humanitarian convoys, hospitals, schools, and even shelters declared as safe havens have not been spared, plunging the region into the depths of a humanitarian collapse.

Despite this grim reality, the international community's response has been woefully inadequate. Moreover, unilateral economic sanctions imposed by certain Western countries have further crippled refugee host nations, undermining their capacity to provide essential support to displaced civilians.

Mr. Chairman,

We need to take immediate, collective, and effective measures to restore the credibility of the United Nations and uphold international humanitarian law. Multilateralism cannot survive unless the unchecked flow of weapons to Israel is halted, and indiscriminate acts of war are decisively condemned.

The UNSG should provide regular reports to the Security Council and General Assembly on the lasting and extensive humanitarian consequences of the war, and violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and genocide, as well as on documenting and presenting evidence of international crimes committed by Israeli regime to national and international courts and tribunals.

Dear Ministers,

The ICC arrest warrants for the two top Israeli officials represent a promising first step toward serving justice and holding the Israeli criminals to account for committing genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

It is now incumbent upon the international community to ensure full and immediate implementation of this indictment in order to disallow normalization of atrocity crimes and colonial erasure in occupied Palestine.

Mr. Chairman,

We are all obliged under international law to assist the Palestinian people in their lawful and legitimate struggle to secure their right of self-determination against Israeli occupation and apartheid.

We should not let Israel justify its war crimes and genocide under 'right of self-defense'; there is no such right for the occupiers under international law.

We should also not let the Israeli regime quell any voice of criticism by invoking 'anti-semitism'.

Dear colleagues,

We need to stand up in defense of the Charter by uniting our voices against the lawless and roguish behavior of a regime that has no regard for international law, the UN Charter and legal norms.

We need to hold Israel's supporters and enablers, especially the United States, accountable as well.

They are complicit in the Israeli regime's genocide and war crimes since they are providing Israel with lethal weapons that are used for killing and maiming innocent Palestinians and because they continue to obstruct any move in the UN Security Council to act decisively against Israeli atrocities.

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman,

I extend my heartfelt appreciation to all international actors committed to restoring peace and security in the region and alleviating the suffering of war-affected people. We have a collective responsibility to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and ensure that justice prevails. I am confident that this meeting will serve as a turning point in advancing the just cause of Palestine and reaffirming our shared commitment to humanity and the rule of law.

Thank you.