The US presented some additional information to the UN Security Council that allegedly proves that Iran's behind the attacks on the oil tankers. The news was shared by Deputy Representative, Jonathan Cohen, after the closed consultations. He claims Tehran alone has capabilities and reasons for an attack like this. The magnet mines that were discovered on one of the ships in the Gulf of Oman were allegedly made in Iran. Cohen continues to insist that the US has presented irrefutable evidence and that the only way to prevent a war is to make Tehran sit at the negotiation table on Washington's terms.
Jonathan Cohen, Deputy US Representative to the UN: Iran must understand that these attacks are unacceptable. It's time for the whole world to take the side of the US. Our policies are still an economic and diplomatic attempt to get Iran back to the negotiation table. Tehran should, as I said two weeks ago, respond to diplomacy with diplomacy.
Curiously enough, the Iranian representative wasn't allowed to the UN consultations on Iran. The Iranian representative stated that Iran was ready for the meeting and was going to present irrefutable proof that the American drone had violated the border over Iranian territorial waters and had been shot down. The diplomats submitted this information to the UN Secretariat. The negotiations Washington insists on are out of the question, says the Iranian representative. He claims the US is playing a dirty game, defending their own interests instead of the international ones.
Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iranian Representative to UN: On dialogue with the US, what's there to discuss when their goal is to impose as many anti-Iranian sanctions as possible? Washington doesn't respect international law and order. Instead of imposing sanctions against Tehran, the US should stop its military and economic exploits. They accuse us of shooting down their drone. Iran was acting in self-defense in compliance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. The American drone was flying over the Iranian territorial waters. We've already presented the evidence.
As a result of the meeting, the members of the UN Security Council condemned the attacks on tankers in the Gulf of Oman, stating that such incidents are a threat to sea traffic in the area. The participants of the consultations encourage all parties to show prudence. It's worth noting that the US President, Donald Trump, said that he didn't need Congress' approval in order to deliver a strike against Iran. On the other hand, diplomats believe that a thorough investigation is required to resolve the conflict peacefully.
Christoph Heusgen, German Representative to UN: France, Germany, and the United Kingdom are disturbed by the growing tensions in the Persian Gulf. We encourage everyone to de-escalate the conflict and engage in dialogue with full respect for international law. The attacks against the tanker contravene international navigation and sea traffic laws. Paris, Berlin, and London emphasize their commitment to the nuclear deal with Iran. We encourage everyone to take our position. We believe that'll help decrease tensions in the region and promote non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
