Ambassador's Statement at UNSC: Situation in Afghanistan

Iran's Ambassador has delivered a statement before the UN Security Council during a session to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. The full text of the statement is as follows:

Statement by

H.E. Mr. Amir Saeid Iravani

Ambassador and Permanent Representative

of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

Before UN Security Council Briefing

on “Situation in Afghanistan”

New York, 23 June 2025

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

 

Thank you, Madam President, for convening this meeting. We appreciate SRSG Ms. Otunbayeva for her valuable briefing. We also thank Ms. Mesuya, ASG and Ms. Bahous, Executive Director,  for their insightful update.

Madam President, first, I want to express my deep regret to the Western members of this Council, especially the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. Even though briefers at today’s briefing warned about the dire impact of Israeli and U.S. aggression on my country, especially on Afghan refugees and displaced people, these countries did not even say they were concerned. They have shown they do not truly care about the lives of innocent civilians, humanity, or human rights. Even their claims about supporting Afghan women and girls are empty words. It is truly sad to see this hypocrisy and double standard. These countries even justify the clear aggression of the Israeli regime by calling it self-defense.

Madam President,

The Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2025/372) clearly shows the serious hardships faced by the people of Afghanistan: poverty, unemployment, limited basic services, frequent natural disasters, and harsh restrictions on women and girls.

In the context of the report, I wish to highlight the following points:

1. Over 22.9 million Afghans need urgent help. The Humanitarian Response Plan requires $2.42 billion, yet funding is alarmingly low. Humanitarian aid must remain impartial and unhindered. The international community cannot abandon the Afghan people. It must meet its obligations with sustained, generous support.
2. Frozen assets and financial restrictions worsen this crisis. Afghanistan’s economy cannot recover until its assets are responsibly unfrozen and international financial mechanisms allow vital trade and humanitarian work.
3. The de facto authorities must honor their counterterrorism obligations and prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for ISIL-K and other extremists. We are seriously concerned that ISIS elements — especially those with Central Asian nationality — could transfer from Syria into Afghanistan, deepening insecurity across the region.
4. Iran continues to host millions of Afghan refugees despite serious security risks and illegal crossings. Iran cannot shoulder this burden alone — international support is urgently needed for hosts like Iran and Pakistan and facilitate the returns of this refugees to their homeland. Meantime, we cannot ignore the threat posed by ongoing Israeli aggression against Iran. These brutal and barbaric attacks fully supported by the U.S. endanger millions of civilians, including over seven million Afghan people live in Iran. These days, many of civilian infrastructure in Iran has been targeted by Israel criminal regime led to lose of life many civilians. Continued Israeli attacks put these civilians including refugees at risk and destabilize the region further. In the meantime, we have credible reports that some illegal immigrants have been recruited by Israeli intelligence for operational purposes and terrorist attacks in Iran.
5. Lasting, stability depends on an inclusive government. Women, ethnic minorities, and all Afghan groups deserve full political participation. Practical engagement with the de facto authorities must continue and produce a credible roadmap for reintegration into the international community. The UN presence in Afghanistan is vital. Iran joins others in supporting UNAMA and the Special Representative.

To conclude, Madam President, if Israeli crimes and aggressions against Iran continue — with complicity by the U.S. and several Western countries — my government will have no choice but to consider facilitating the safe and prompt return of Afghan nationals to their homeland to protection them from these brutal and savage attacks. This is not a policy Iran desires to pursue. For decades, Iran has generously hosted millions of Afghan refugees, but exceptional security circumstances now leave us no alternative.

I thank you.