Israel and Iran exchange threats at emergency UN Security Council meeting

Tensions continued to boil over between Israel and Iran as the countries exchanged threats during an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting Monday, Oct. 28. The meeting had been called with the goal of easing hostilities between the countries. 

The latest exchange of attacks between Israel & Iran risks plunging the entire Middle East region into an all-out war, top @UNDPPA official warns the Security Council, stressing the need to return to the path of dialogue & diplomacy.https://t.co/KZTXDAwe3J pic.twitter.com/QLzHWcsAfA

— United Nations (@UN) October 29, 2024

Iran requested the meeting after Israeli airstrikes over the weekend targeted Iranian missile facilities. Those strikes were Israel’s response to an Iranian strike on Tel Aviv earlier this month.

“Iran reserves its inherent right to respond at a time of its choosing to this act of aggression,” Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani (pictured above), said to the Council.

“This is the last warning,” Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., said directly to Iran. “Israel has shown restraint, but from now on you will only see strength. Any further aggression will be met with powerful and swift action.”

While Iran is not expected to act immediately, the country’s president has said it will respond “appropriately.” 

During the Security Council meeting, the United States warned Iran of “severe consequences” if it makes any more aggressive moves toward Israel or U.S. personnel in the Middle East.

“We will not hesitate to act in self-defense. Let there be no confusion. The United States does not want to see further escalation. We believe this should be the end of the direct exchange of fire between Israel and Iran,” Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to U.N., said.