Russia at UN calls US, Israeli attacks on Iran 'another unprovoked act of armed aggression'

HAMILTON, Canada

Russia's UN envoy on Saturday strongly condemned the latest US and Israeli military attacks on Iran, calling them "another unprovoked act of armed aggression."

"Washington and West Jerusalem's actions are nothing other than yet another unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state in violation of the charter of the organization and of the fundamental principles of international law," Vassily Nebenzia said during an emergency session at the UN Security Council.

Arguing that the US-Israeli attacks were "interfering in the internal affairs of Iran and at destroying a state that has found disfavor with the West," Nebenzia said: "The US and Israel's irresponsible step, reckless step, as we warned previously, has already led to a sharp escalation of the situation across the region."

"Moreover, the US and Israeli military operation has been a betrayal of diplomacy," he added.

The emergency session was requested by the permanent missions of France, Bahrain, China, Russia, and Colombia.

However, Nebenzia said Russia and China asked the UK mission, currently the Security Council president, to be held under the item "threats to international peace and security."

"Attempts by the British presidency to artificially downplay the degree of danger of the current situation are simply unacceptable," he said.

The Russian diplomat further criticized the UK presidency for "grossly" disregarding Russia and China's request to invite Jeffrey David Sachs, director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, to brief the council.