Israel and Iran trade charges of endangering Middle East peace

This handout satellite picture provided by Planet Labs PBC shows the Khojir Motor Casting Facility in Iran on October 26, 2024. (Photo by Planet Labs PBC / Agence France-Presse)

UNITED NATIONS, United States — Israel and Iran accused each other Monday of endangering Middle East peace, in a heated exchange at a UN meeting called after Israel attacked Iranian military targets.

On Saturday, Israel carried out air strikes on military sites in Iran in response to Tehran’s October 1 missile barrage on Israel. The latter was in retaliation for the killing of Iran-backed militant leaders and a Revolutionary Guards commander.

At a meeting of the UN Security Council, which Iran requested, each country asserted its right to self-defense.

“Israeli aggression against Iran is obvious and does not occur in isolation. This aggressive attack is part of a broader, sustained pattern of aggression and unchecked impunity with which Israel continues to destabilize the entire region,” Iran’s ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani told the council.

Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, attends a meeting at the United Nations Security Council on October 28, 2024, in New York City. The meeting comes following Israel’s retaliatory attack on Iran. Spencer Platt/Getty Images/Agence France-Presse

READ: Iran says not seeking war with Israel, vows response to strikes

He added that Israel’s “persistent and systematic violation of international law,” and military engagements in the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen should spark “unequivocal condemnation” by the council.

The ambassador repeated Iran’s threat to retaliate after Israel’s weekend air strikes, but said Tehran preferred diplomacy.

Israeli ambassador Danny Danon said his country had defended itself after the October 1 missile attacks by Iran.

“We promised that their actions would not go unanswered,” said Danon.

“Iran has seeded violence, chaos and destruction throughout the Middle East. But this violence is not limited to Israel’s borders. It threatens regional stability, global security and economic stability,” the ambassador said.

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon speaks at the United Nations (UN) before a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on October 28, 2024, in New York City. The meeting comes following Israel’s retaliatory attack on Iran. Spencer Platt/Getty Images/Agence France-Presse

READ: Iran warns will defend itself after Israeli strikes

“Today, it is us. It is Israel in their crossroads. But tomorrow, it could be any of the nations represented here. Don’t be mistaken,” Danon said, calling for strong sanctions against Iran, especially to keep it from developing nuclear weapons.

The United States defended its ally Israel.

“Our message for Iran remains clear, as well: should it choose to undertake further aggressive acts against Israel or US personnel in the region, there will be severe consequences,” US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the meeting.

“We will not hesitate to act in self defense,” she said, adding however that the United States wants to avoid escalation.