By Angela Moonga
Zambia has joined the United States in co-sponsoring a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution that condemned Iranian attacks against Gulf states, despite the USA and Israeli aggression against the former.
Iran has retaliated to US and Israeli aggression by striking United States bases in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq and even Israel following the aggression against it.
The resolution Zambia has co-sponsored has been criticised by countries such as Russia in that the same did not denounce the US aggression which necessitated the retaliations from Iran.
Zambia together with over 130 countries backing a UNSC resolution condemned Iran’s ‘egregious’ attacks.
It urgently urged an end to the conflict while cautioning Iran against the dangers of jeopardising shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries 20 percent of the global shipping late for international oil.
The resolution condemned what it called “egregious” attacks by Iran on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan, while demanding an immediate halt to all hostilities by Tehran and warning against threats to close the Strait of Hormuz.
The 15-member Council adopted the Bahrain-led resolution on Wednesday with 13 votes in favour and none against, while permanent members China and Russia abstained.
What does the UN resolution say?
The Bahrain-led resolution was co-sponsored by Zambia along with more than 130 countries including India, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Yemen.
The resolution condemned in the “strongest terms” Iran’s attacks on the territories of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, stating that such acts constitute a breach of international law and pose a serious threat to international peace and security.
It demanded the immediate cessation of all attacks by Iran against the GCC countries and Jordan and called on Tehran to “immediately and unconditionally” refrain from any provocation or threats against neighbouring states, including through the use of proxies.
Which countries does the resolution support?
The resolution, which had a total of 135 co-sponsors, reiterated strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
It also expressed solidarity with these countries and their people, particularly in light of attacks that targeted residential areas and civilian infrastructure.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz mentioned?
The Council reaffirmed that navigational rights and freedoms for merchant and commercial vessels must be respected in accordance with international law, particularly along key maritime routes.
It noted that member states have the right, under international law, to defend their vessels from attacks or provocations that undermine navigational freedoms.
The resolution also condemned any actions or threats by Iran aimed at closing or obstructing international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz or threatening maritime security in the Bab Al Mandab.
What concerns were raised about civilian casualties?
The resolution condemned attacks on residential areas and civilian infrastructure, noting that the strikes had resulted in civilian casualties and damage to civilian buildings.
It called on Iran to comply fully with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, particularly with regard to the protection of civilians and civilian objects in armed conflict.
How did the United States respond?
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said the adoption of the resolution was “a direct and unequivocal statement from the Gulf countries condemning the brutality of the Iranian regime”.
He accused Tehran of targeting civilian populations and infrastructure and said the international community was calling out such actions.
Waltz added that US President Donald Trump had exhausted diplomatic avenues before the conflict escalated.
“He sought peace and to end 47 years of hostility and attacks, while Iran only sought more missiles, more drones and a pathway to nuclear Armageddon. President Trump has drawn his red line here. Iran crossed it once again, and now the world is facing the consequences,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to the 135 countries that co-sponsored the resolution.
How has Iran reacted?
Iran’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, criticised the Council’s action as “unjust and unlawful”, saying it was inconsistent with the UN Charter and international law.
“Make no mistake: today it is Iran; tomorrow it could be any other sovereign state,” he said.
Iravani alleged that since the start of the conflict on February 28, continued military strikes by the US and Israel had killed more than 1,348 civilians, including women and children, injured more than 17,000 others and damaged or destroyed nearly 19,734 civilian sites.
These included over 16,000 residential homes, more than 1,600 commercial and service centres, 77 medical facilities, 65 schools and educational institutions, 16 Red Crescent buildings and multiple energy infrastructure sites.
“The scale and systematic nature of these attacks clearly constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity,” he said.
What is Iran’s position on the conflict?
Iravani said Iran remains committed to maintaining friendly relations with countries in the Persian Gulf region based on mutual respect and the principle of good-neighbourliness.
He said Iran’s “defensive operations” targeting US military bases and facilities in the region were not aimed at undermining the sovereignty or territorial integrity of neighbouring states.
“Although the Israeli regime has succeeded in dragging the US into a regional conflict, Iran’s relations with its neighbours are rooted in long-standing historical, cultural and geographical ties,” he said.
He added that once tensions ease, Iran and its neighbouring countries would return to traditional relations of cooperation and mutual respect.
Iravani also rejected claims that Iran had attempted to close the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran has consistently respected international law and freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway.
