In a recent session of the United Nations Security Council, Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a strong warning to Iran. He stated that the United States would respond firmly to any attacks conducted by Iranian proxies.
These comments come amid heightened tensions, primarily resulting from the Israel-Hamas conflict. Secretary Blinken clarified that the United States does not seek a conflict with Iran and aims to prevent the escalation of the war.
Nevertheless, he emphasized that any attack on U.S. personnel, regardless of the location, would trigger a swift and resolute response. The United States has accused Iran of supporting renewed attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq, and Iran’s leadership openly backs Hamas, which initiated an aggressive action against Israel on October 7.
Iran also maintains close ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon, a group with a history of conflicts with Israel. The United States recently vetoed a draft resolution on the Israel-Hamas conflict, opting for a new resolution that expresses sympathy for both Israeli and Palestinian casualties and upholds the right of all nations to self-defense while adhering to international legal obligations.
Secretary Blinken expressed deep concern about the loss of innocent lives, particularly children, due to Hamas actions and questioned the global response to these events. The situation remains dynamic, with international tensions running high as the United States conveys a clear message to Iran regarding its stance on proxy attacks.
Israeli Ambassador Calls for UN Chief’s Resignation Amidst Gaza Crisis
Meanwhile, the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations has called for the immediate resignation of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres due to his support for Palestinians. The Israeli ambassador argued that Guterres is not the right choice for the position of UN Chief and should step down.
Previously, the Israeli military spokesperson stated that Israel remains firm in its stance against allowing fuel into the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel’s argument is that Hamas uses the fuel for its operational needs, although they did not provide evidence to support this claim.
In contrast, humanitarian workers within Gaza emphasize the critical need for fuel to provide healthcare and operate water pumps. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has stated that it may have to cease its operations if it doesn’t receive more fuel.
In a separate incident, there was an Israeli strike on Ahli Arab Hospital in central Gaza, which the health ministry reported resulted in the death of at least 500 people. Many families in Gaza sought refuge in hospitals from the ongoing Israeli shelling, but this strike changed the perception of hospitals as safe havens.
