UN encourage both the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue to engage in diplomacy in order to settle the differences…reports Asian Lite News
The United Nations is very concerned about the situation surrounding Iran, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, said.
“I can tell you and reiterate yet again that we are very concerned about the heightened rhetoric we’re seeing around the region, by the heightened military activities, war games, or just increased military naval presence in the region,” Dujarric said.
“And we encourage both the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue to engage in diplomacy in order to settle the differences,” he said.
In the letter, Iran’s UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said the country will respond “decisively and proportionately” to any military aggression, exercising its right to self-defence under the UN Charter, and urged the Security Council and the UN secretary-general to “act without delay, before it is too late.”
According to Dujarric, the letter has gone to the Security Council and to the General Assembly, as requested by Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran will prepare the draft of a possible nuclear deal with the United States within two to three days, while U.S. President Donald Trump said he is contemplating a limited military strike on Iran.
In an interview with MSNBC while elaborating on indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the United States and ways to bridge differences on the nuclear issue, Araghchi said, “My next step is to present the draft of a potential deal to my U.S. counterparts,” noting that the draft will be ready in the next two to three days.
The draft, once finalized by his superiors, will be delivered to U.S. president’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, he said, adding that the two sides “may need another round of discussion before starting work toward, hopefully, a good conclusion.”
During the second round of indirect talks on Tuesday, Araghchi said, Iran has not offered to suspend uranium enrichment on its soil, and the U.S. side has not put forward such a demand.
“What we are now talking about is how to make sure that Iran’s nuclear program, including uranium enrichment, is peaceful and would remain peaceful forever,” he explained.
Araghchi expressed confidence that a “fair and equitable” deal is achievable, but described the U.S. military buildup in the West Asia region as “absolutely unnecessary and unhealthy.”
“I have to emphasise that there is no military solution to Iran’s nuclear program,” he said, adding, “The only solution is diplomacy and that is why the United States is back at the negotiating table and seeking a deal.”
He added that Iran is ready both for war and peace, noting, “We are prepared for diplomacy and negotiation as much as we are ready for war.”
Later in the day, Trump said that he is considering a limited military strike to pressure Iran to make a deal. “I guess I can say I am considering that,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
Iran turns heat on EU
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the country had designated the navies and air forces of all member states of the European Union (EU) as terrorist organisations.
The move is to respond to the EU’s recent “unlawful and unjustified” decision to label Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, the ministry said in a statement.
The EU decision is “in contradiction with the fundamental principles and rules of the United Nations Charter and international law,” the statement said.
It added that the Iranian government reciprocated based on the principle under a 2019 law, which states that “all those countries that in any way comply with or support the U.S. decision to declare the IRGC a terrorist organization will be subject to reciprocal action.”
The Council of the EU on Thursday formally added the IRGC to the bloc’s terrorist list following a political agreement reached by EU foreign ministers last month.
The listing triggers restrictive measures under the EU counterterrorism sanctions regime, including the freezing of the group’s funds and other financial assets or economic resources in EU member states.
The EU’s move comes amid heightened tensions in the West Asia region in recent days, with the United States increasing its military presence and repeatedly threatening potential military strikes against Iran.
