UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on Iran

The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on Iran amid ongoing protests, with Tehran rejecting allegations that its security forces killed demonstrators.

Iran’s deputy UN envoy Gholamhossein Darzi dismissed the accusations as “fabricated narratives” promoted by the United States and its allies, according to Iran International.

Darzi said Iranian security forces were confronting armed “ISIS-style terrorist cells” and separatist groups allegedly funded and supplied by foreign actors, including Israel. He also rejected claims that internet restrictions were imposed to conceal harm to civilians, saying the measures were temporary and aimed at countering cyberattacks and protecting national infrastructure.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations said Tehran did not seek escalation but warned that any act of aggression would be met with a “decisive, proportionate and lawful response” under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Iranian dissident journalist Masih Alinejad, who addressed the council, said violence in Iran would intensify without international action.

U.S. envoy to NATO Mike Waltz told the meeting that President Donald Trump was reviewing all options regarding Iran.

China urged respect for Iran’s sovereignty, saying issues related to the country should be resolved by the Iranian people themselves.

Protests in Iran have continued since late December, triggered by currency depreciation and rising food prices.