WANA (Mar 25) – Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, strongly condemned the large-scale violence against civilians in Latakia and Tartus, Syria, since March 6, calling it a “mass killing of non-combatants.”

 

Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East situation, with a focus on Syria, Iravani urged interim authorities to take decisive action to end all forms of violence, protect civilians, and ensure unhindered access to humanitarian aid.

 

The full text of Iran’s UN envoy’s remarks follows:

 

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

 

Thank you Madam President. We appreciate Mr. Pedersen, the Special Envoy, and Mr. Tom Fletcher, the Under-Secretary-General, for their insightful briefings. We have closely listened to the views of Ms. Joumana Seif.

 

With regard to the current situation in Syria, I wish to make the following points:

 

First, we strongly condemn the widespread violence of people in Latakia and Tartus since 6 March, which has led to the mass killing of civilians, particularly among Alawites. The interim authorities must take decisive action to end all violence, protect civilians, and ensure unhindered humanitarian access.

 

All communities’ rights must be respected and guaranteed, and any attempts to displace minorities, especially Alawites and Shiites, must stop immediately.

 

We welcome the Security Council’s presidential statement of 14 March, which strongly condemns this carnage and calls for a swift, credible, transparent, independent, and comprehensive investigation. The interim authorities must ensure full accountability and swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice.

 

Second, we stress the need to combat terrorism in Syria and the grave threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs), which endanger regional and global security. This transnational threat demands coordinated action.

 

We echo the Security Council’s call for the interim authorities to take decisive measures and uphold its counterterrorism obligations. FTFs must be repatriated, held accountable, and prevented from further destabilizing the region. Iran remains committed to fighting terrorism and stands ready to cooperate with legitimate international partners to address this challenge.

 

Third, we express deep concern over Israel’s ongoing violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Recent Israeli airstrikes, including those on the city of Daraa, have resulted in civilian casualties and heightened regional tensions. Such aggression constitutes blatant violations of international law and exacerbates instability in the region.

 

Furthermore, Israel’s continued occupation of the Golan Heights remains a significant obstacle to peace and security. Resolution 497 unequivocally declares Israel’s imposition of its laws in the occupied Golan Heights as “null and void and without international legal effect. We call upon the Security Council to take decisive action to halt these violations and to compel Israel to withdraw from all occupied Syrian territories in compliance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.

 

Fourth, Syria faces severe humanitarian and economic challenges, requiring urgent reconstruction and restoration of essential services.  However, U.S. and EU sanctions continue to obstruct recovery, disproportionately harming vulnerable populations. We welcome the recent EU decision to suspend sanctions against Syria in the transport, energy, and banking sectors. This relief is insufficient. All illegal measures must be fully lifted to facilitate Syria’s reconstruction and ensure the safe return of refugees.

 

Fifth, the future of Syria must be determined only by its people, free from any external interference or imposition. Iran supports the establishment of an inclusive government through free elections and comprehensive national dialogue, ensuring fair representation for all Syrian communities. To ensure national solidarity, the temporary constitution should also be submitted to a public vote.

 

The constitution must serve to strengthen national unity, rather than sow division or exacerbate ethnic and religious tensions. Iran emphasizes the necessity of a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process, facilitated by the United Nations and grounded in the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015).

 

This resolution outlines a clear roadmap for establishing an inclusive, non-sectarian government through free and fair elections and comprehensive national dialogue, ensuring fair representation for all Syrians. Iran supports the efforts of the UN Special Envoy, and stresses that the United Nations must play a central role in this process.

 

Sixth, we welcome Syria’s return to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) after a 13-year suspension. This development allows Syria to resume its role as a significant member of this esteemed body.​ Iran remains committed to supporting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is dedicated to playing a constructive role in achieving lasting peace and stability in Syria and the broader region.

 

Seventh, in conclusion, we categorically reject the baseless accusations made by the U.S. representative, which are once again intended to distort reality and mislead the international community. For years, under the false pretext of counterterrorism, the United States has flagrantly violated Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, enabling terrorist groups and backing Israel’s occupation to advance its geopolitical agenda.

 

We must not overlook the fact that the severe humanitarian crisis and economic hardship in Syria stem directly from Washington’s unlawful sanctions and its systematic violations of the fundamental human rights of the Syrian people. These are undeniable facts, and the representative of the United States cannot erase them through deception, misleading, or by leveling baseless accusations against Iran. We seek and support the establishment of sustainable stability and security in Syria and are not involved in any action that would destabilize Syria and the broader region.

 

I thank you, Madam President