The United States proposed a resolution in the UN Security Council on Saturday stating that Israel has the right to defend itself and calling for Iran to cease exporting weapons to "militias and terrorist groups that threaten peace and security in the region." The draft resolution, reviewed by Reuters, calls for the protection of civilians, including those trying to save themselves, and emphasizes that countries should adhere to international law when responding to "terrorist attacks." It also urges for the continuous, sufficient, and unobstructed entry of aid into the Gaza Strip.
It is not immediately clear whether the U.S. intends to bring the draft resolution to a vote or when it might do so. Approval of the resolution requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from Russia, China, the United States, France, or the United Kingdom. This move follows the U.S. vetoing a Brazilian-drafted text on Wednesday that called for a humanitarian ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement to allow aid into Gaza.
The U.S. draft resolution does not call for any cessation or truce in fighting. It asks all countries to take measures to prevent the "expansion of violence in Gaza or its spread to other areas in the region," by urging Hezbollah and other armed groups to immediately stop all attacks. The draft resolution also demands that Iran stop exporting weapons to groups threatening peace and security in the region, including Hamas. The Iranian mission to the UN in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
