Iran (IMNA) - Speaking during a UN Security Council session on Monday, Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, outlined Tehran’s expectations for principled and effective UN leadership, grounding his remarks in the core provisions of the UN Charter.
Iravani said the authority granted under Article 99 of the Charter—allowing the Secretary-General to bring threats to international peace and security before the Council—has been “paralyzed by the veto of a permanent member over the past two years.” He said this period included what he described as the genocidal war and grave war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza, the killing of UN humanitarian personnel and peacekeepers, and acts of aggression against countries in the region.
He added that during these critical moments, the exceptional authority entrusted to the Secretary-General under Article 99 “has not been exercised fully, in a timely manner, or with the rigor required by the circumstances.”
Referring to Article 100 of the Charter, Iravani stressed that the next Secretary-General must demonstrate independence and integrity. He warned that a candidate who has deliberately failed to uphold the UN Charter or to condemn unlawful military attacks against safeguarded, peaceful nuclear facilities undermines confidence in his ability to act independently, impartially, and without political bias or fear of powerful states.
The remarks were a reference to the June strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, which were under UN supervision, as well as attacks that targeted Iranian nuclear scientists. Iravani noted that the IAEA, led by Grossi—who has announced his candidacy for the UN’s top post—did not condemn the attacks.
Iravani also highlighted Article 105 of the Charter, emphasizing the Secretary-General’s “clear and non-derogable responsibility” to safeguard the rights and privileges of member state representatives and ensure their full and equal participation. He said violations such as visa denials, movement restrictions, or harassment must be addressed decisively and without selectivity by the UN Secretariat, stressing that such protections are legally binding on the host country.
“Failure to do so weakens the United Nations and erodes the principle of sovereign equality at the heart of the UN system,” he said.
Calling for a transparent and inclusive selection process, Iravani said Iran is ready to engage in meaningful discussions throughout the process and to work with the next Secretary-General to advance peace, justice, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
The term of the current UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, ends on December 31, 2026. While there is no formal limit on the number of terms, the longest tenure to date has been 10 years. Under existing procedures, the Secretary-General cannot be chosen from among the five permanent members of the Security Council—Russia, China, the United States, Britain, and France. Elections or term extensions are also approaching in several other UN bodies.
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