Iran has issued a warning on social media expressing concern that if Israel does not halt “war crimes and genocide”, the situation could escalate, leading to “far-reaching consequences”. Iran’s mission to the United Nations posted the warning on social media.
This statement from Iran followed a report from Axios that Tehran has conveyed a warning to Israel through the U.N., stating that Iran would have to respond if Israel were to launch a ground offensive in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
Iran’s U.N. mission posted on social media: “If the Israeli apartheid’s war crimes & genocide are not halted immediately, the situation could spiral out of control & ricochet far-reaching consequences – the responsibility of which lies with the UN, the Security Council & the states steering the Council toward a dead end.”
Meanwhile, Israel was reportedly preparing for a ground assault against Hamas in Gaza in response to a recent attack by the Palestinian Islamist group. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, including many civilians. Concurrently, Israel has engaged in intensive airstrikes and artillery bombardment of Gaza, which has placed the densely populated enclave under total siege.
The United States and the international community have been working to prevent the conflict from escalating further and spreading to other regions, particularly Lebanon, where clashes have occurred along the border with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.
U.N. Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Beirut, and Abdollahian also met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar. These meetings focused on diplomatic efforts to release hostages, secure humanitarian access, and prevent the conflict from spilling over into neighboring areas.
Israel’s mission to the United Nations did not comment on the Axios report or Iran’s social media statement.
