US Representative Urges Iran to Drop Regional Ambitions as UN Pushes Two-State Solution - Salam
Salaam - Quick summary and reaction.
The US envoy to the UN, Mike Waltz, spoke at the Security Council urging Iran to abandon what he called the “false hope of revolution” and to give up regional ambitions. He urged Tehran to engage in direct dialogue with the United States, saying it would help the Iranian people and regional security. Waltz also reiterated US support for reimposing UN “snap-back” sanctions on Iran and framed a recent US peace plan as part of a larger effort to reshape the Middle East toward stability and prosperity.
UN officials, meanwhile, stressed the need to push for a two-state solution to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. The UN deputy special coordinator, Ramiz Alakbarov, said the UN will keep advocating for Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace and security within recognized borders based on pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states. He praised mediation by the US, Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye for helping secure a fragile ceasefire and hostage release, but warned the calm is precarious and a return to violence must be avoided.
Alakbarov noted humanitarian needs in Gaza remain huge despite a recent 46% increase in aid deliveries during the first week of the ceasefire. The UN has launched a 60-day emergency response plan to speed relief and restore basic services. Egypt, the Palestinian Authority and the UN plan to co-host a Cairo Reconstruction Conference to focus on recovery for Gaza.
Waltz said the ceasefire will only hold if Hamas disarms and follows the agreement, including returning the remaining hostages’ bodies. He claimed Hamas cannot govern Gaza going forward and warned of severe consequences if it fails to comply. He also condemned recent executions attributed to Hamas and criticized a recent International Court of Justice opinion as politically motivated and non-binding, while the UN official welcomed the court’s findings as stressing the need for humanitarian access.
This is an unfolding and delicate situation. May Allah protect civilians, grant safety to the innocent, and guide leaders toward just and lasting peace.
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