Amir Said Irabani said repeated attacks by the Israeli government, including the May 2 airstrike near the Presidential Palace, were strongly condemned, adding that these actions threatened peace in the region and made them possible with US support.
Here is the full text of Irabani’s speech:
Statement by
He is Amir Said Irabani
Ambassador and permanent representative
Iran’s Islamic Republic to the United Nations
In front of the UN Security Council
“The Middle East situation: (Syria)”
New York, May 21, 2025
Thank you, Minister.
We welcome your presence and thank you to the chairman of this meeting.
We would like to thank the envoy Pedersen and Rajasingham, Director of Coordination, for the insightful briefing.
president,
Regarding the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, I would like to create the following points:
First, Iran welcomes international recognition that humanitarian and reconstruction aids should not politicize in Syria.
Please be aware of recent announcements to lift and suspend unilateral sanctions by the US, the European Union and the UK. These steps have been delayed for a long time, but they are positive.
The suffering of the Syrian people should not be used for political purposes. We seek a complete and unconditional lifting of all unilateral sanctions.
These illegal measures violate the UN Charter and international law. Today, more than 16 million Syrians need emergency help. Relaxation of sanctions should lead to true, immediate improvements in their lives.
They must also host ways to support refugees in return, restructure Syrian economy and infrastructure, and perpetuate peace and stability.
Second, Syria has the right and responsibility to maintain peace and security across its territory. However, particularly in the northeast and south, its security remains vulnerable due to continued foreign military presence and illegal occupation.
Israel’s continued occupation of Golan Syria is clearly a violation of international law and Security Council resolution 497 (1981). Repeated Israeli attacks, including the airstrikes on May 2 near the Presidential Palace, must be firmly condemned.
These actions threaten local peace and are made possible with US support. We strongly reaffirm that we must respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
All foreign troops illegal in Syria must immediately and unconditionally withdraw. It is clear that only Israeli-occupied regimes are in a position to benefit from Syria’s fragmentation and instability.
Its persistent acts of aggression, repeated violations of international law, and continued acts of expanding the profession are clearly intended to perpetuate the state of permanent instability of the country.
Third, as a neighbor, Iran emphasizes the need to combat all forms of terrorism in Syria, particularly the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs). We are deeply concerned about reports that the FTF has been relocated from Syria to other conflict zones. This could improve instability in the region and pose serious risks to neighboring countries.
The Security Council must be vigilant and responded through strong and effective measures. Welcome the announcement of the PKK, and consider it an important step to disarm it, reject violence and increase regional stability.
We hope that other armed terrorist groups, including PJAK, will follow this path and contribute to the lasting peace and security of the region.
First, Syrians suffer from foreign occupation, terrorism and economic pressure. We emphasize that the future of Syria must be determined solely by the Syrians, without external interference or imposed solutions.
The political process must be led and owned by Syria in line with Security Council resolution 2254. Iran is fully supporting UN envoy Gay Apedersen and his efforts to promote the inclusive process.
This process must respect Syrian sovereignty and proceed without foreign pressure. In this context, Iran supports dialogue between Syrian interim authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as an important step towards national integration.
We recommend comprehensive engagement and dialogue that guarantees equal rights for all Syrians.
Thank you to the President.