Iran confronts US at UN over Israeli strikes, says Washington 'shares full responsibility'

Tensions intensified during a UN Security Council emergency meeting on Friday, as Iran accused the US of being fully complicit in Israel’s attacks on Tehran earlier that day- ahead of the Islamic Republic’s retaliatory strikes on Israel.

Prior to Iran’s military response late on Friday, the 15-member UN Security Council held the meeting at Tehran’s request and was joined by Israeli and Iranian representatives.

Iran argued that the US’s complicity in the unprecedented Israeli attacks was "beyond doubt", while Washington denied the allegations and told Tehran that it would "be wise" instead to negotiate over its nuclear programme.

Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, denounced Israel’s attacks on several of his country’s military sites and nuclear facilities, as well as the killings of top Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists, stating that Israel sought to "kill diplomacy, sabotage negotiations, and drag the region into wider conflict."

Speaking at the UN on Friday, Iravani added that "those who support this regime, with the United States at the forefront, must understand that they are complicit."

"By aiding and enabling these crimes, they share full responsibility for the consequences."

Iravani’s Israeli counterpart, Danny Danon, defended Israel’s actions, claiming that the strikes were "an act of national preservation" and accusing Iran of "preparing for war."

At the UN Security Council, Danon also alleged that Iran deliberately stalled nuclear negotiations while secretly enriching uranium.

“We waited for diplomacy to work,” he said, claiming intelligence showed Iran was days away from producing enough fissile material for multiple nuclear weapons.

Danon called Iran’s diplomatic engagement "false concessions" that masked rapid nuclear advancement.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that a 60-day ultimatum given to Iran to halt its uranium enrichment had expired the previous day, as a sixth round of US-Iran talks was scheduled in Oman for Sunday.

Iran has indicated however that it will not attend the talks.

The US representative at the UN, senior State Department official McCoy Pitt, claimed that while Washington was informed in advance of Israel’s strikes on Iran, it was not involved militarily.

Pitt claimed that Washington’s stance was that “every sovereign nation has the right to defend itself,” trying to cast Israel’s actions as self-defence.

He also echoed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s warning that any retaliation by Iran against US personnel or interests would have dire consequences.

Pitt stated that Washington maintains its commitment to diplomacy, adding that the US aims to seek a resolution that ensures Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon or threatens regional stability.

He added, “Iran’s leadership would be wise to negotiate at this time,” urging Tehran to return to the negotiating table amid rising tensions.

Condemnation from around the world

At the meeting, China’s UN Ambassador, Fu Cong, emphasised his country’s condemnation of Israeli violations of Iranian sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.

Calling on Israel to immediately halt any plans for further military action, Fu said that "China opposes the intensification and expansion of conflict, and is deeply concerned about the consequences that may be brought about by Israel's actions."

The Chinese representative warned that Israel's attack on Iran could have a negative impact on diplomatic efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue.

Fu called on all parties to show restraint and prioritise negotiations to avoid further destabilising the region.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia also issued a stark warning at the UN, stating that Israel’s strikes on Iran are "pushing the region to a large-scale nuclear catastrophe."

He called the attack “completely unprovoked” and a "gross violation of the UN Charter and international law," strongly condemning the assault.

Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, further warned during the UNSC meeting that the recent Israeli strikes on Iran are causing repercussions already being felt across the region.

She reiterated UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ condemnation of military escalation in the Middle East, as she highlighted the UN’s calls on both Israel and Iran to exercise maximum restraint.

DiCarlo stressed the world body’s pleas for both parties to avoid "a descent into deeper and wider regional conflict."

IAEA urges restraint after Israeli strike causes radiation risk

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warned of serious nuclear-related risks following the recent Israeli offensive, stressing that nuclear sites must never be targeted under any circumstances.

Speaking at the UNSC, Grossi said such attacks have "serious implications for nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, as well as for regional and global peace."

He confirmed the IAEA is in regular contact with Iranian authorities and ready to deploy experts to assess the damage and assist in non-proliferation efforts.

Emphasising the need for diplomacy, Grossi said the IAEA offers a neutral forum where "facts prevail over rhetoric" and "technical engagement replaces escalation."

The UN nuclear watchdog chief additionally confirmed that Israel’s aerial attack on Iran destroyed the above-ground uranium enrichment plant at Natanz, one of Iran’s key nuclear facilities.

He reported radiological and chemical contamination at the site, where uranium was enriched to 60%, but stated the situation was "manageable with appropriate measures."

Grossi stated that his organisation continues close contact with Iranian authorities and reaffirmed its role in safeguarding nuclear safety and non-proliferation.

Israel continues attacks at Iranian military, Tehran responds

Israel launched a large-scale barrage of strikes across Iran on Friday, targeting nuclear facilities, missile factories, and killing military commanders.

In response, Iran fired retaliatory airstrikes overnight, with explosions reported in major Israeli cities, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

In the latest updates on Saturday, Iranian state TV has reported at least 60 dead, including 20 children, in a strike on a housing complex, with multiple other attacks across the country.

Meanwhile, in Israel, air raid sirens prompted residents to seek shelter as waves of missiles crossed the skies, with at least three fatalities confirmed.