UN Security Council Holds Emergency Meeting on Iran as Protests Continue into Third Week
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the ongoing unrest in Iran, following a request by the United States amid continuing nationwide protests and a severe crackdown by authorities.
The session took place as protests entered their nineteenth day across multiple Iranian cities. Internet access across the country has been largely cut or severely restricted for about a week, significantly limiting communication and making independent verification of events on the ground difficult.
According to Reuters, the United States told the Security Council that it stood with the Iranian people and condemned what it described as the violent suppression of peaceful protesters. U.S. officials warned that continued repression would have consequences, while calling on Iranian authorities to respect basic rights, including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Iran’s representative to the United Nations rejected accusations of human rights violations, accusing foreign powers of interfering in Iran’s internal affairs and portraying the unrest as driven by external actors.
During the meeting, several Western countries expressed concern over reported casualties, mass arrests, and the prolonged internet shutdown. Russia and China opposed the Security Council’s involvement, arguing that the situation did not constitute a threat to international peace and security.
Human rights groups report that thousands of people have been killed or injured since the protests began, with tens of thousands detained, though exact figures remain difficult to confirm due to communication restrictions.
In parallel with the Security Council meeting, the United States announced new sanctions targeting Iranian officials and entities linked to the crackdown. International calls for restraint and accountability continue as tensions inside Iran remain high.
