Geneva, Switzerland – The UAE has confirmed that treacherous and terrorist Iranian attacks, which have been ongoing for 26 days and have amounted to more than 2,000 ballistic missiles, mobile phones, and drones, have targeted vital civilian facilities, airports, residential areas, and civilian sites in the country, in flagrant violation of the country’s sovereignty and international humanitarian law.
His Excellency Jamal Al Mashrakh, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations Office and International Organizations in Geneva, said in a speech before the Human Rights Council in Geneva today that what we are witnessing today is not just a military escalation, but rather systematic, absurd behavior that undermines the foundations of the international order.
It also threatens regional and international security and stability, particularly by targeting infrastructure directly related to civilian safety, energy security, the global economy, and global supply chains.
Military solutions generate crises
His Excellency added: Let us also remember that Iran’s treacherous attacks did not target the countries against which it declared war, but rather affected its neighbors, which have repeatedly called for and made unremitting efforts over the past months to avoid this escalatory path. Based on its firm belief that military solutions generate crises and serious consequences for the region.
He explained that Iran now stands isolated from its neighbors and the international community, in clear defiance of the UN Charter and in a desperate attempt to destabilize the international order through reckless hegemonic adventures. Furthermore, we see that Iran seeks to justify its unjustified and completely irresponsible attacks by labeling them as “retaliatory attacks.”
There is no justification for Iranian aggression
In this regard, the Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations Office and international organizations in Geneva stressed the UAE’s categorical rejection of any justifications or excuses issued by the Iranian side that seek to justify these cowardly attacks without taking into account the UAE’s clear position in which it affirmed that it does not allow its territory to be used in any military operation against Iran.
“What cannot be ignored in this context is the stark contradiction between Iran’s flimsy narratives of good neighborliness and its practices on the ground, including its justification for targeting civilians, infrastructure, and civilian sites –including airports, ports, oil and tourist facilities, vital facilities, stations, and residential buildings – as this terrorist aggression resulted in the martyrdom of two members of our armed forces while performing their national duty, and the killing of six civilians,” he said. 161 people of twenty-nine different nationalities were injured. The repercussions of these brutal attacks extend beyond the region. Its continuation threatens navigation in vital corridors, including the Strait of Hormuz, undermines the stability of energy markets and global supply chains, and increases economic and social pressures. Which directly affects the rights of peoples to security and development.
He added: “We witnessed in the UN Security Council the adoption of the historic Resolution No. 2817, which condemns in the strongest terms the treacherous Iranian attacks against the UAE, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It was co-sponsored by 136 UN member states and sends a clear and unified message that the international community will not tolerate attacks on the sovereignty of states or the deliberate targeting of civilians and vital infrastructure. The adoption of the IMO Council Resolution also came, which was co-sponsored by more than 115 member states, the largest number of states sponsoring a resolution in the history of the organization, which strongly condemns Iranian threats and attacks against ships, as well as its closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
In this regard, Al-Mashrakh said, “We call on this esteemed Council today to take a firm step toward condemning human rights violations resulting from Iran’s unlawful attacks on countries that are considered a pillar and partner for peace in the region.”
He added: “Let me remind any enemy of the UAE model that my country’s model since its founding has been built on good neighborliness and building bridges. Through the vision of a leadership that believes in decent living, tolerance, coexistence, and the rejection of hatred. This model is also based on well-established forward-looking economic strategies and openness to the world by building sustainable international partnerships. This has made the UAE economy one of the world’s leading economies and the most capable of adapting to changes. Most importantly, our model is built on indestructible foundations and a firm determination to achieve development and prosperity. We reaffirm that the UAE reserves its full right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, national security and territorial integrity in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, and to ensure the security and safety of its citizens and residents –who belong to 200 nationalities – and its visitors. Based on her right to self-defense in accordance with the provisions of international law.
His Excellency Jamal Al Mashrakh, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations Office and International Organizations in Geneva, concluded his speech by saying: “Through this platform, we emphasize that the treacherous Iranian attacks have confirmed the strength of our institutions, the solidity of our national system, the unity of our society, and the determination of our people.”
