Diplomatic Clash at UN After Strikes on Iran: World Divided Over US and Israeli Actions

The attack carried out by US and Israeli forces on targets in Iran triggered a sharp diplomatic reaction, shifting the conflict's focus to New York. During an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, US and Israeli ambassadors argued that the strikes were necessary to curb Iran's nuclear program and Tehran's destabilizing actions in the region. The Iranian side described these actions as "crimes against humanity" and called on the international community to halt the aggression, invoking the right to legitimate defense. Russia and China unequivocally condemned the operation, accusing Washington of using sham negotiations as a cover for military action. Moscow called the attack "unprovoked aggression," deepening the existing rift in the global balance of power. Meanwhile, the European Union is exercising great caution. Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, admitted that while no one would mourn the fate of the Iranian regime, the attack itself was illegal and constitutes a serious violation of international norms. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez used even stronger words, describing the strike as an "atropello" (violation) of law that will bring no good to either the region or the world. Relations between Iran and the West have remained tense since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, and the issue of Iran's nuclear program has been a subject of dispute in the UN Security Council for over two decades. In Europe, leaders of countries such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom are trying to navigate a difficult diplomatic game. On one hand, they declare solidarity with US strategic objectives; on the other, they categorically distanced themselves from participation in the operation itself, fearing a full-scale conflict. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni engaged in intensive consultations with leaders from the Persian Gulf states, expressing solidarity with countries that could be drawn into a spiral of violence. The situation also has a social dimension, as shown by numerous demonstrations in front of the White House and in New York, where protesters demanded a halt to further escalation. „Ningún demócrata va a llorar sobre la muerte del régimen iraní, pero eso no justifica este ataque ilegal.” (No democrat will weep over the death of the Iranian regime, but that does not justify this illegal attack.) — Josep Borrell Internal security issues have become a priority in European capitals. In Rome, an elevated state of readiness for uniformed services was introduced. Military experts warn that potential retaliation from Tehran could reach European territory. Particular attention is being paid to Soumar missiles, whose estimated range of 3000 kilometers theoretically allows them to strike targets in the southern part of the continent. While Japan and the G7 group confirmed close cooperation to limit Iran's nuclear ambitions, the lack of a coherent stance on the methods to curb them casts the world under the shadow of a new, major war in the Middle East.

Perspektywy mediów: Spanish media and some French outlets focus on the violation of international law and criticism of US unilateralism. American media and some Italian outlets emphasize the necessity of de-escalation and defending allies from the Iranian threat.