Saudi Arabia decries Iranian strikes as ‘cowardly’, urges global action at UN forum
New York — Saudi Arabia sharply condemned what it described as Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and regional states, calling them violations of international law and urging immediate global action, its envoy told an emergency session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, Abdulmohsen Majed bin Khothaila, said the strikes targeted Saudi Arabia, other Gulf countries and Jordan, characterizing them as breaches of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He described the actions as “cowardly” and said they undermined regional stability and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.
Addressing the council, bin Khothaila said that targeting neighboring states and mediators amounted to a violation of the principles of good neighborliness and a betrayal of peace initiatives.
He added that attacks on countries not directly involved in the conflict were “unjustifiable and unacceptable.”He accused Iran of pursuing a strategy involving support for militias and destabilization of neighboring countries, warning that such conduct posed a direct threat to international peace and security.
He also said the attacks had caused civilian casualties and damage to residential areas and critical infrastructure.
The Saudi envoy stated that the strikes constituted serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. He rejected any attempt by Tehran to deny responsibility, saying the evidence was clear and accountability unavoidable.
“Continuing this approach will bring Iran no gains, but will instead impose a high political and economic cost and deepen its isolation,” he said, urging Iranian authorities to reconsider their actions.
Bin Khothaila also condemned attacks on commercial shipping and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting their implications for global energy markets and trade.
He warned that interference with energy supplies and food systems could have severe consequences, particularly for developing economies vulnerable to external shocks.
Calling for a stronger international response, he said the situation demanded urgent action to protect civilians and critical infrastructure, adding that “silence is no longer an option.”
