UN Security Council Meets on US-Israel-Iran Clashes

UN chief condemns attacks, warns of potential wider conflict

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The United States and Israel clashed with Iran at an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Saturday, where the U.N. chief and many countries urged a halt to their attacks and a return to negotiations to prevent the conflict from spreading further into the region and beyond.

Why it matters

The escalating tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran at the U.N. Security Council meeting highlight the risk of a wider regional conflict, with the potential for grave consequences for civilians and regional stability.

The details

Secretary-General António Guterres told the council that the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes violated international law, including the U.N. Charter. He condemned Iran's retaliatory attacks for violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of several countries in the region. The U.S. and Israeli ambassadors defended the airstrikes as necessary to stop an existential threat from Iran, while Iran's ambassador called the strikes a war crime and a crime against humanity.

  • The emergency Security Council meeting was held on Saturday, March 1, 2026.

The players

António Guterres

The Secretary-General of the United Nations who condemned the attacks and urged a halt to prevent a wider conflict.

Mike Waltz

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations who insisted the U.S. military action was lawful.

Danny Danon

Israel's U.N. Ambassador who defended the airstrikes as necessary to stop an existential threat.

Amir Saeid Iravani

Iran's ambassador to the U.N. who called the airstrikes a war crime and a crime against humanity.

Vassily Nebenzia

Russia's U.N. ambassador who condemned the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes.

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What they’re saying

“The alternative is a potential wider conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability.”

— António Guterres, UN Secretary-General

“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. That principle is not a matter of politics. It's a matter of global security. And to that end, the United States is taking lawful actions.”

— Mike Waltz, U.S. Ambassador to the UN

“We are stopping extremism before it becomes unstoppable. We will ensure that no radical regime armed with nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles can threaten our people or the entire world.”

— Danny Danon, Israel's UN Ambassador

“I advise to the representative of the United States to be polite. It will be better for yourself and the country you represent.”

— Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's UN Ambassador

“We demand that the United States and Israel immediately cease their aggressive actions. We insist on the immediate resumption of political and diplomatic settlement efforts … based on international law, mutual respect and a balance of interests.”

— Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's UN Ambassador

What’s next

The Security Council meeting is taking place on the last day of the United Kingdom's presidency, and a day before the United States takes over the rotating presidency for the month of March. This could lead to further diplomatic efforts and negotiations to de-escalate the tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

The takeaway

The emergency UN Security Council meeting highlights the grave risks of a wider regional conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, with the potential for devastating consequences for civilians and regional stability. Diplomatic efforts to resume negotiations and find a negotiated solution will be crucial to prevent the conflict from spiraling out of control.