MOSCOW: The UN Security Council rejected a resolution proposed by Russia on the conflict in the Middle East. Four countries voted in favor, nine abstained. In addition to the United States, Latvia voted against the resolution. Nebenzya called the vote a "test of mettle" and noted that the document did not contradict the Bahraini resolution approved by the Security Council.
The draft resolution submitted by Russia called on all parties to immediately cease hostilities in the Middle East and beyond.
The United States vetoed a Russia-sponsored UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and condemning attacks against civilians. The vote took place in New York.
The draft condemned attacks on civilian targets and called on all parties to return to diplomacy, given the importance of ensuring security for all countries in the Middle East and beyond.
Moscow sought to enshrine in the resolution the fundamental principles of international law and a call for diplomatic efforts amid the sharp escalation of tensions following the exchange of strikes between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The proposed UN Security Council draft called on "all parties" to immediately cease hostilities "in the Middle East and beyond," without mentioning any countries by name. The text condemned any attacks against civilians and infrastructure and demanded that all parties to the conflict return to diplomatic channels.
The document qualifies Tehran's strikes as a violation of international law and a threat to peace, expresses regret for the attacks on civilian targets and casualties, demands an immediate cessation of attacks, and condemns any actions or threats that impede navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The resolution does not mention the US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
In early March, at an emergency Security Council meeting devoted to the situation around Iran, Nebenzya described the US and Israeli military operation as an "irresponsible step" leading to a sharp escalation in the region. He described the strikes on the Islamic Republic as an "unprovoked act of armed aggression" aimed at interfering in Tehran's internal affairs and removing its leadership.
Earlier, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution demanding that Iran immediately cease strikes on several Arab states in the Persian Gulf, without mentioning the actions of the US and Israel. The resolution was supported by 13 countries, while Russia and China abstained. The Russian proposal for an immediate cessation of military activity in the Middle East was introduced against the backdrop of US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets on February 28 and Tehran's retaliatory attacks on Israeli targets and US bases.
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