Russia berates the US for calling UN Security Council meeting over protests in Iran that have left at least 21 dead - Daily Mail

6/1/2018

Russia berates the US for calling UN Security Council meeting over protests in Iran that have left at least 21 dead

Russia's envoy Vassily Nebenzia criticizes 'flawed U.S. logic' over the meeting

He asked why the SC has not also met to discuss 2014 violence in Missouri

But the U.S. says that Iran needed to be put on notice over recent violence

At least 21 people have been killed in recent anti-government protests

By Alastair Tancred and Ap

PUBLISHED: 21:30 AEDT, 6 January 2018 |

Russia and Iran have both strongly criticized the U.S. for calling a meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Friday to discuss recent protests in Iran which have killed at least 21 people.

Russia's envoy Vassily Nebenzia said involving the Council was wrong because what was happening in Iran was an 'internal affair' which undermined the reputation of the U.N.'s top body.

Mr Nebenzia argued that if American logic on the issue was to be followed, a Security Council meeting should also have been convened after the 2014 killing of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.

Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya, left, speaks to American Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley before Friday's Security Council meeting on Iran

Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya, left, speaks to American Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley before Friday's Security Council meeting on Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was scathing of the US move to convene the meeting on twitter

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was scathing of the US move to convene the meeting on twitter

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley said the emergency session put Iran on notice that 'the world will be watching' its actions

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley said the emergency session put Iran on notice that 'the world will be watching' its actions

The anti-government protests began at the end of December, fueled by spiraling food prices and soaring unemployment

The anti-government protests began at the end of December, fueled by spiraling food prices and soaring unemployment

Thousands of Iranians took part in pro-government rallies in several cities earlier this week in a state-sponsored show of force aimed at countering the outpouring of dissent

Thousands of Iranians took part in pro-government rallies in several cities earlier this week in a state-sponsored show of force aimed at countering the outpouring of dissent

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter after the meeting that the Security Council 'rebuffed the U.S.' naked attempt to hijack its mandate.'

He said the majority on the Council emphasized the need to fully implement the 2015 nuclear deal and to refrain from interfering in the affairs of other countries.

'Another FP (foreign policy) blunder for the Trump administration,' he wrote.

The Iranian envoy at the meeting, Gholamali Khoshroo, said that the U.S. had 'lost every shred of moral, political and legal authority and credibility in the eyes of the whole world'.

France was also critical of the move to convene the meeting, pointing out that any interference in Iran's affairs would be counter-productive.

Ambassador François Delattre said that while the recent protests were of concern, they hardly undermined international peace and security.

Mr Delattre said the international community should instead concentrate on fully implementing the nuclear agreement with Iran - which the Trump administration has refused to endorse.

But U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley said the emergency session put Iran on notice that 'the world will be watching' its actions.

Her call for the emergency meeting surprised Security Council members and she had to overcome Russian opposition to get it - the U.S. required the backing of at last nine of the Council's 15 members for it to have gone ahead.

Ms Haley said that her country stood 'unapologetically with those in Iran who seek freedom for themselves, prosperity for their families and dignity for their nation'.

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She said that 'no dishonest attempt to call the protesters puppets of foreign powers' would deter the US from speaking out.

Protests began in Mashhad, Iran's second largest city, on 28 December and spread to several other cities and towns. The demonstrations were triggered by a rise in food prices and soaring unemployment.

Some demonstrators even called for the government's overthrow.

Hundreds of people were arrested in addition to those killed.

Large pro-government rallies have been held in response, with officials blaming the anti-government unrest on foreign meddling.