Faith Nyasuguta
Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council briefing on Iran’s attack against Israel, 14 April 2024.
Location: United Nations, New York
Delivered on: 15 April 2024 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
The United Kingdom condemns unequivocally Iran’s reckless attack against Israel, which risked thousands of civilian casualties.
The scale and nature of Iran’s heinous assault – the first direct attack from Iran on Israeli soil – poses grave risks to the security and stability of citizens across the Middle East.
The United Kingdom has long been clear that Iran plays an unacceptable role in destabilising the region, and that it also bears responsibility for the actions of the groups it has supported militarily, financially, and politically over many years. Through this attack, Iran has once again demonstrated that it is intent on sowing chaos in the region.
As we have demonstrated, the United Kingdom will continue to stand up for Israel’s security, and that of all our regional partners, including Jordan and Iraq. We welcome the actions of our allies to deter the Iranian threat.
No one wants to see further bloodshed. The United Kingdom is also continuing to work urgently alongside the international community to stabilise the situation and prevent further escalation. It is vital that all parties exercise maximum restraint and refrain from any action that may heighten tensions further in the region.
We also call on Iran to release the MSC Aries and its crew unconditionally and without delay.
Iran’s actions do nothing to advance the prospects for peace in Israel and Gaza. As set out in Security Council resolution 2728, the United Kingdom remains resolved to work with international partners to secure an immediate pause in the fighting in Gaza to get aid in and hostages out, leading to a sustainable ceasefire without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life.
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