Ambassador Robert Wood
Deputy Representative for Special Political Affairs
new york new york
February 5, 2024
As delivered condition
Madam President, Deputy Secretary-General DiCarlo, thank you for your explanations.
Colleagues, At the direction of President Biden, on February 2, the United States conducted precision airstrikes against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its affiliated militias in Iraq and Syria. This necessary and proportionate action was taken in exercise of the United States' inherent right of self-defense, as reflected in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Less than a week later, on January 28, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq attacked a facility in Jordan hosting U.S. forces participating in the fight against ISIS/Daesh. Three U.S. military personnel lost their lives that day, and many others were injured. This loss is devastating. This is unacceptable. And such attacks cannot continue.
Colleagues, Russia convened this meeting under the false pretext that the United States had no basis to respond to an attack that killed Americans. Therefore, it must be reiterated that the actions taken by the US military on February 2 were necessary and appropriate, consistent with international law, and an exercise of the United States' inherent right of self-defense. We have also reiterated in previous letters to the Council that the United States will take further action to respond to future attacks, or threats of attacks, against US citizens, US personnel, and facilities. .
The recent strikes certainly fit into that category. They are intended to protect and protect U.S. military personnel, including those in Jordan, who are supporting operations against ISIS to ensure that the terrorist organization never returns. The attack succeeded in reducing the capabilities of Iranian-backed militias, deterring further attacks and weakening their capabilities. The facilities attacked included command and control operations and intelligence centers. Storage for rockets, missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Logistics and munitions supply chain facilities.
The Revolutionary Guards and its affiliated militias use these facilities to attack U.S. and coalition forces. These targets were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties and were based on clear and irrefutable evidence that they were linked to attacks against U.S. military personnel in the region. President Biden has made clear that these attacks are the beginning of our response to the deadly attack on Tower 22 in northeastern Jordan.
I also believe that these attacks are separate and distinct from the coalition's offensive in Yemen in response to the Iranian-backed Houthis' lawless attacks on warships and ocean shipping in the Red Sea. I would like to emphasize one thing.
Let me be clear: Despite the United States' active efforts to contain the conflict and de-escalate tensions in the Gaza Strip, we do not want further conflict in the region. And we are not seeking direct conflict with Iran. However, we will continue to protect our personnel from unacceptable attacks. period.
U.S. and coalition forces are deployed in a joint effort to ensure the lasting defeat of ISIS. As we have reported in numerous letters to the President of the Security Council, since October 18, Iranian-aligned militias have attacked troops in Iraq, Syria, and now Jordan more than 165 times; also attacked. Iran provided support for many of these attacks, which were similar to the January 28 attack. Many of the attacks have resulted in casualties, including those of Iraqi partners.
The United States has repeatedly warned Iran directly about attacks on American personnel in some cases. Despite this, Iran has been unable to rein in its extremist proxies. On the contrary, Iran continues to increase tensions across the region by enabling these proxies to carry out deadly attacks. Iran cannot deny its role in enabling these attacks on U.S. forces or its responsibility for this escalation.
We therefore call on all members of this Council, especially those with direct channels to Iran, to rein in militias and put pressure on Iranian leaders to stop these attacks. . We also need to put pressure on the Syrian regime to stop giving Iran a platform to destabilize the region.
My colleagues, as President Biden has made clear, we will not hesitate to protect our employees and hold accountable all those who harm the American people. That certainly applies to Iran and his agents. Therefore, we will continue to exercise our right to self-defense at the time and place of our choosing, and we will continue to hold Iran and its affiliated countries accountable for their destabilizing actions.
Thank you, Madam President.
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