US leads group of 48 UN members in condemning Iranian attack on Israel

The United States leads a group of 48 countries at the United Nations in condemning Iran’s missile and drone attack on Israel last weekend.

In a joint statement, the countries note the attack “could have caused significant damage and loss of life.

“We further condemn the fact that the weapons launched at Israel violated the airspace of several regional states, putting at risk the lives of innocent people in those countries, and appeared to traverse airspace near holy sites in Jerusalem,” the statement says.

“We welcome the efforts to avert a further immediate escalation of violence in the region, following the successful coordinated efforts to defend against Iran’s attack.”

The statement also denounces Iran for seizing an Israeli-linked ship near the Strait of Hormuz, urging the immediate release of the vessel and its crew.

“We note that Iran’s escalatory attack is the latest in a pattern of dangerous and destabilizing actions by Iran and its militant partners that pose a grave threat to international peace and security,” the countries add. “We call on all regional parties to take steps to avert further escalation of the situation and demand that all council resolutions be fully implemented. We will strengthen our diplomatic cooperation to work toward resolving all tensions in the region.”