Aref exposes UN’s failure on genocide in Gaza, aggression on Iran at Eurasia summit

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref says the US-Israeli aggression on Iranian soil in June was perpetrated under the shadow of the United Nations Security Council's inaction in the face of the two allied regimes’ flagrant violations of international law and UN Charter.

Aref made the statement in an address on Friday to a meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)’s prime ministers in the resort city of Cholpon Ata, Kyrgyzstan, as he commended the “constructive and heartening” stances of the member states on the 12-day imposed war on the Islamic Republic.

“This was while we witnessed the inaction of the United Nations Security Council regarding the flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter by the Zionist regime and the US,” Aref said.

“The aggression against a UN member state, the attack on Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities, the killing of civilians, and the illegal and criminal operations against military forces outside their mission area and against university professors, and the bloodshed of women, children, and ordinary citizens, further revealed the Zionist regime's goals in spreading insecurity in the region.”

Iran’s first vice president pointed to the plight of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and said the Israeli regime’s genocidal aggression on the besieged territory constitutes crimes against humanity.

“The world is currently witnessing the actions of the Zionist regime in imposing famine and starvation on the oppressed people of Gaza, and even its decision to fully occupy it, which is a clear example of a crime against humanity and a continuation of genocide,” Aref said.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran, while strongly condemning these actions, once again reminds all governments of their shared and collective responsibility to stop the flagrant violations of international humanitarian law, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in Gaza,” he added.

On June 13, the US-backed Israeli regime launched a blatant and unprovoked act of aggression against Iran, assassinating many high-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists, and killing hundreds of civilians.

The United States also jumped on the bandwagon by bombing three Iranian nuclear sites in a grave violation of international law.

In response, the Iranian Armed Forces targeted strategic sites across the occupied territories as well as the al-Undead air base in Qatar, the largest American military base in West Asia.

Caught off guard by Iran’s daring retaliatory operations, Tel Aviv was forced on June 24 to halt its illegal aggression and accept a unilaterally US-brokered ceasefire agreement.

The onslaught was committed against a backdrop of Israel’s long-standing genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza, which has since October 2023 claimed thousands of innocent lives, including women and children.

Iran triumphant in 12-day war but stays wary of enemy threats: Army chief

Iran’s Army Chief, Major General Amir Hatami, has said that while Iran emerged victorious in the Israeli regime’s 12-day war against the country, it will remain vigilant as enemy threats persist.

Armenia-Azerbaijan truce deal

Elsewhere in his remarks, Aref emphasized the consolidation of peace and stability in the Caucasus region and welcomed the peace agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan on August 8.

“Iran continues to underscore its positions on solidarity and the preservation of the territorial integrity of countries, and believes that interventions from outside the region will not contribute to lasting security in the region,” he said.

Pointing to the great capacities of the Eurasian Economic Union, Aref also stated that Tehran believes the EAEU can be a pioneer in establishing regional economic governance.

“Regional unions and alliances will shape the future world, and our region, with mechanisms such as the EAEU and ECO, can impact the future global order and preserve and enhance the power of its members against increasing challenges and pressures,” he said.

“The union's countries must be united against actions and restrictions imposed by some countries to deprive them of the benefits of science and technology,” he added. “Cooperation and partnership among regional unions are more relevant now than ever before, and our region can be a leader in this regard.”

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