U.S. Amb. Dorothy Shea Urges Iran to Abandon Nuclear Ambitions in Emergency UN Session

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - In a firm and resolute address to the United Nations on Friday during an emergency meeting on the Iran-Israel conflict, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea emphasized the need for Iran to reverse course on its nuclear ambitions and end its regional destabilization efforts.

“Thank you, Madam President. And thank you, Secretary General, for your introductory remarks, and Undersecretary General Rosemary DiCarlo, and Director General Rafael Grossi for your briefings,” Shea began. She commended the IAEA’s response in the current volatile climate, stating: “DG Grossi, we commend the IAEA team for their professionalism in implementing the agency's critical responsibilities, especially during this complex and evolving situation.”

Shea highlighted the gravity of the moment: “We meet at a decisive moment in the Middle East, convening amid an intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran. It is not too late for the government of Iran to do the right thing.”

Referencing statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, Shea added, “President Trump has been clear in recent days that Iran's leadership must completely abandon its nuclear enrichment program and all aspirations of acquiring a nuclear weapon.”

She accused Iran of being a persistent threat to peace and security: “The Iranian government has long posed a constant menace to the peace and security of its neighbors and the entire world, which this council is charged to maintain.”

Citing inflammatory rhetoric and hostile actions, she continued: “The Iranian government has repeatedly called for Israel's destruction and for, as I quote, ‘death to America.’”

Shea also referenced recent Iranian attacks: “They have launched direct and proxy attacks on Israeli civilians, including most recently on Southern Israel's largest hospital and just recently, in the last couple hours on Haifa.”

“Iran's government has also spread chaos, terror, and suffering throughout the region,” she said, reminding the Council that, “the Iranian government was an enabling and ideological material force behind Hamas's deadly assault on Israel in October 2023. And it twice attacked Israel last year with hundreds of ballistic missiles.”

Further outlining Iran’s regional footprint, Shea stated: “The Iranian government also encouraged its terrorist proxy, Hezbollah, to open a northern front from Lebanon and enabled Houthi rebels in Yemen to become a menace to global trade and freedom of navigation and to launch long range missiles endangering civilians in Israel.”

She brought attention to a January 2024 incident: “A drone attack from an Iran backed terrorist group on a U.S. military facility in Jordan killed three American service members. Enough is enough.”

Referring to a recent joint declaration, Shea said, “As the leaders from the Group of Seven stated earlier this week, Iran is the principal source of instability and terror in the Middle East.” She reaffirmed: “The G7 also reaffirmed the right of Israel to defend itself.”

Clarifying the U.S. position, Shea declared: “While The United States was not involved in Israel's strikes, let there be no doubt that The United States continues to stand with Israel and supports its actions against Iran's nuclear ambitions.”

“Iran's leaders could have avoided this conflict had they agreed to a deal that would have prevented them from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon, but they refused to do so, choosing instead to delay and deny.”

She issued a grave warning: “We can no longer ignore that Iran has all that it needs to achieve a nuclear weapon. All it needs is a decision from their supreme leader. That is unacceptable, and this council must urge them to change course.”

Shea urged Iran to cease its confrontational posture: “The government of Iran has nothing to gain by escalating their rhetoric toward the IAEA, launching missiles at civilians, threatening neighbors, or pursuing nuclear weapons.”

“For too long, they had prioritized terrorism and their nuclear program above the well-being of their own people,” she stated. “Their resulting weakness is now on full display for the entire world.”

“The Iranian government must abandon its nuclear ambitions, so that there is no more destruction. Choose instead prosperity for their people.”

She concluded her remarks with a call to action: “Thank you, Madam President.”

The address reflects growing international concern over the potential for broader regional destabilization and reinforces Washington’s position of unwavering support for Israel while urging Iran to embrace diplomacy over escalation.