RASC News Agency: Amid ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, Amir Saeid Iravani, the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, stated during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that the number of fatalities from Israeli airstrikes on Iran has reached 78, with more than 320 others injured. According to him, among the victims were several senior military officials as well as women and children. Meanwhile, McCoy Pitt, the United States representative for international organizations, defended Israel’s actions, stating that the U.S. did not participate militarily in the attacks but was informed of them. He warned that any potential Iranian attack on U.S. forces in the region would face a strong response from Washington.
At the regional level, the consequences of these attacks continue. In an unprecedented move, King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the safety of Iranian pilgrims, ordered that all necessary services be fully provided to them until the end of the Hajj season. The decision was made at the suggestion of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Internationally, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, in a phone call with the President of Israel, urged both sides to exercise restraint and stressed the importance of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions. In the United States, reactions among members of Congress have been divided. Republican Representative Don Bacon described Israel’s actions as “necessary and legitimate,” warning of the threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran. In contrast, Democratic Representative Alice Titus acknowledged the military impact of Israel’s operations but emphasized the need to contain tensions, stating that diplomacy remains the best option for resolving Iran’s nuclear crisis.
During the Security Council session, Fu Cong, China’s representative, called on Israel to immediately halt its military operations, describing the attacks as a violation of Iran’s territorial integrity. He warned that the continuation of such actions could have serious consequences for regional security. Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response to the U.S. position, said that the United States, through its “duplicity in words and actions,” has closed the door to dialogue. He stressed that Israel has “crossed all red lines” and that the responsibility for escalating tensions lies with Washington and Tel Aviv.
