Iran’s UN Envoy: Crimes of Zionist Regime Constitute Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity
New York, The Gulf Observer: Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has condemned what he described as the “crimes of the Zionist regime,” calling them examples of genocide and crimes against humanity. He also criticized the paralysis of the UN Security Council in addressing the Gaza crisis, blaming repeated U.S. vetoes for obstructing international efforts to secure peace.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly session on Wednesday, convened to discuss the use of veto power on a proposed resolution for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, Iravani said it was “deeply regrettable” that, for the sixth time in recent months, the Council had failed to adopt a resolution to stop what he termed the “brutal aggression against the Palestinian people.”
He argued that the obstruction not only contradicted the will of the international community, which has consistently backed justice and peace for Palestine, but also undermined Washington’s own claims of supporting peace, while in reality shielding Israel and enabling ongoing violations of international law.
The Iranian envoy accused Israel of pursuing illegal and criminal policies over the past eight decades, escalating in recent years into systematic bombardments that have killed tens of thousands of civilians, including women and children. He said these acts amount to “ethnic cleansing, unlawful blockade, starvation as a method of warfare, apartheid policies, settler terrorism, land confiscations, home demolitions, and attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites.”
Iravani stressed that such actions constitute genocide and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, noting that the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry had confirmed the charge of genocide in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
“The Security Council remains paralyzed in the face of this crisis,” he declared, adding that by shielding Israel, the United States had eroded the Council’s credibility, weakened multilateralism, and undermined the UN Charter’s core duty to maintain peace and security.
The Iranian representative called on the Security Council to take urgent measures, including adopting and enforcing an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, lifting Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid, rejecting annexation or displacement schemes, condemning Israeli aggression against other regional states, and granting Palestine full UN membership. He further urged the imposition of binding punitive measures on Israel under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
Iravani concluded by reaffirming Iran’s position that the only sustainable solution lies in ending occupation, preventing genocide, and establishing an independent State of Palestine with full UN membership. “The inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including self-determination and justice for crimes committed against them, must be upheld,” he said.
