Majid Takht-Ravanchi

United Nations, June 22 (RHC)-- Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations has reiterated the Islamic Republic’s unstinting support for the Syrian people and government, criticizing the UN Security Council’s silence in the face of repeated Israeli airstrikes and violations of the Arab country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Majid Takht-Ravanchi made the remarks at a UN Security Council meeting on humanitarian developments in Syria, stating that the Islamic Republic of Iran “strongly condemns Israel’s prolonged occupation of Syrian Golan, as well as its numerous breaches of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including the most recent attacks that targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure, in particular terrorist attacks against Damascus International Airport.”

“These Israeli malign and terrorist acts violate international law, international humanitarian law, Syria’s sovereignty, and jeopardize regional stability and security,” he said.

The senior Iranian diplomat stressed that Tehran recognizes Syria’s legitimate right to defend itself in accordance with the international law and UN Charter.  “We call on the Security Council to abandon its double standard and condemn the repeated Israeli acts of aggression unequivocally, holding this lawless regime accountable for its aggressions and malicious activities,” Takht-Ravanchi said.

The Iranian ambassador to the UN went on to say that more than eleven years of conflict, aggression, occupation, and terrorism have created numerous problems for the Syrian nation.

“The situation has been aggravated by the unilateral sanctions which have stymied the implementation of Resolution 2585, which calls for the provision of basic services and implementation of early recovery and reconstruction projects, thus impeding Syria’s reconstruction efforts and hampering humanitarian aid delivery in a variety of ways, even delaying the return of refugees and displaced persons,” he remarked.

According to Takht-Ravanchi, the Syrian government’s ability to achieve economic and social stability and improve the living conditions of Syrians has been undermined by those illegal measures.

The Iranian ambassador to the UN also pointed to the world body’s reports on Syria, noting that 14.6 million Syrians would require humanitarian aid in 2022, up 1.2 million from 2021.  He said the provision of basic services such as water, electricity, and healthcare is increasingly declining in the war-ravaged country.

The top Iranian diplomat at the United Nations underlined the need to provide humanitarian aid to Syria amid the dire situation there, stating that political conditions should not be allowed to prevent humanitarian supplies from reaching needy people.

Takht-Ravanchi then referred to the recent tripartite meeting among the representatives of Iran, Russia, and Turkey as part of a Syria peace process hosted by Kazakhstan, saying the three countries emphasized “the need to remove impediments and increase humanitarian assistance to all Syrians across the country without discrimination, politics, or preconditions.”

Iran and Russia, as the allies of the Syrian government, as well as Turkey, which sides with the opposition, set up the Astana peace process in January 2017 intending to put an end to the Syrian conflict through the involvement of the Syrian government and the opposition.

The 18th round of the talks commenced last Wednesday, while the previous round was held in December last year.