U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz addressed the UN Security Council, criticizing Iran. He responded to accusations from Iran’s representative that the council spread falsehoods about Iran’s attacks on Gulf states. “Let me remind you where you are,” Waltz said to Iranian diplomat Amir Saeid Iravani. “This is the United States of America. This is the United Nations Security Council. You will not silence this body.”
The council convened for an emergency meeting after Iran’s drone and missile attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, following new U.S. airstrikes against Iran. Waltz shared images he claimed were of the destruction caused by Iran’s actions. These included damage to a home in Bahrain and a tourist hotel.
Iravani argued the council should not have met, accusing the U.S., Bahrain, and others of spreading disinformation. “The United States has resorted to lies and disinformation against Iran,” he asserted. He dismissed Western accusations and blamed the situation on unlawful aggression against Iran, claiming Western hypocrisy undermines their credibility.
Ambassador Iravani spoke after the Security Council voted on a draft resolution regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. His remarks highlighted what he called double standards by Western countries. “Instead of addressing the root cause of the current crisis, they have ignored the unlawful aggression committed against Iran,” he emphasized.
Waltz reiterated his stance in a post, asserting Iran would not silence the U.S. He asked in the council meeting, “Are these lies? I’d say not,” challenging the victims’ testimonies.
Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, disclosed that since February 28, Bahrain suffered 808 attacks, including 203 ballistic missiles and 605 armed drones. He refuted Iran’s claim that it targeted only military objectives, noting the attacks on civilian areas resulted in deaths and injuries. “These attacks deliberately targeted civilian facilities, critical infrastructure and residential areas,” Al Zayani stated.
The U.S. and Iran have accused each other of violating a ceasefire. On June 27, President Donald Trump declared U.S. forces struck Iranian sites in response to violations by Iran. An Iranian drone attack on a merchant vessel led to U.S. retaliation. In a social media post, Trump warned, “There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!”