The United Nations Security Council is set to convene an emergency session on February 28 to discuss the recent military actions taken by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliatory strikes by Tehran in the region.
The meeting, scheduled to begin at 23:00 Kyiv time, comes at the request of France and Bahrain, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also calling for such a gathering. The UN has indicated that the focus will be on the situation in the Middle East.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the escalation of violence in a statement earlier today, emphasizing that the use of force by the US and Israel undermines international peace and security. He urged all parties to cease hostilities and de-escalate tensions, warning that failure to do so could lead to a broader regional conflict with serious implications for civilians and stability.
“I call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to the negotiating table,” Guterres stated.
US President Donald Trump announced the initiation of “large-scale military operations” against Iran shortly after Israel declared it had conducted a “preventive strike” on the same day. Reports from Iranian media indicated explosions in several cities, including Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, Qom, Lorestan, and Chabahar, with strikes reportedly targeting high-ranking Iranian officials.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed that the joint US-Israeli action would empower the Iranian populace to take control of their future. Following the strikes, air raid sirens were activated across Israel, and residents were advised to seek shelter.
In response, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps launched multiple waves of drones and ballistic missiles targeting Israel. Iran also directed missiles at several countries in the Middle East hosting US military bases, with reports of explosions in Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
One civilian was reported killed in Abu Dhabi due to falling debris during the initial wave of Iranian retaliatory attacks. High-ranking US officials stated that there have been no reports of casualties among US personnel as a result of Iran’s strikes on American military installations.
Trump accused Tehran of attempting to revive its nuclear program following the US bombardment of key facilities during a twelve-day conflict between Iran and Israel last June. He asserted that the US aims to dismantle Iran’s missile capabilities and “level” its naval forces.
In announcing the military operation on February 28, Trump declared that the objective is to “protect the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”
In the wake of the strikes, internet access in Iran has been largely disrupted. The military actions occurred just days after nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran, casting doubt on the planned continuation of talks next week in Vienna as Washington increases its military presence in the region.
The UN Security Council will meet to address escalating military tensions following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Iran's retaliatory actions. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the violence and called for a ceasefire and renewed negotiations.