Iran Issues Warning of ‘Unmanageable Escalation’ Following US Veto of Gaza Truce Proposal

Iran issued a stark warning on Saturday about the potential for an ‘uncontrollable explosion’ in Middle East tensions following the United States’ veto of a United Nations Security Council resolution that called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran’s senior diplomat, also urged for the quick opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

The Iran-supported Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas initiated a major assault on southern Israel on October 7, which, as per Israeli authorities, resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties, predominantly civilians, and the taking of around 240 hostages.

In response, Israel, with strong backing from its ally the United States, pledged to annihilate Hamas and initiated a large-scale offensive. According to the health ministry in Hamas-governed Gaza, this offensive has led to over 17,400 fatalities in the Palestinian territory, again mainly among civilians.

The United States, on Friday, vetoed a Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The U.S. argued that the resolution would have left Hamas capable of repeating its actions from October 7.

Amir-Abdollahian, in a conversation with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, indicated that the ongoing U.S. support for Israel and the continuation of the war could lead to a highly volatile situation in the region. This conversation was reported in a statement by the Iranian foreign ministry.

The Iranian foreign minister commended the U.N. chief for his ‘courageous action’ in utilizing Article 99 of the U.N. Charter to uphold international peace and security.

Despite a one-week truce, hostilities between Israel and Hamas resumed on December 1. Israel accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire, a claim that Amir-Abdollahian categorically denied in his discussion with Guterres. He added that the U.S.’s support for Israel complicates the achievement of a sustainable ceasefire.