US proposal for holding UNSC emergency meeting on Iran ‘destructive’: Russia

Russia has criticized as “harmful and destructive” a US proposal for holding an extraordinary meeting of the UN Security Council on recent protests in some Iranian cities over soaring prices and economic problems.  

“Iran's domestic affairs have nothing to do with the United Nations Security Council’s role” further said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Thursday, as quoted by Russia's RIA news agency, adding that Moscow “see no role” for the world body “in this issue.”

He also stressed that the UNSC must exert its efforts in maintaining “international peace and security”, which are its real roles in the world.

Ryabkov’s comments came after US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said earlier this week that Washington was seeking emergency sessions to be held on Iran at the UN in New York and at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. “The UN must speak out,” she said at the time.

“We warn the US against attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Ryabkov further said, adding that the White House was tempted to exploit “the moment to raise new issues with regard to the JCPOA,” the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that limits Iran’s nuclear program.

‘US after pretext to harm Iran deal’

The Russian official also said Friday that the US is “looking for reasons” to put pressure on Iran over its nuclear program.

Ryabkov was responding to US Vice President Mike Pence, who tried earlier this week to take advantage of the latest events inside Iran to deal yet another blow to the 2015 nuclear deal. Pence said Washington will “not remain silent on Iran” and called for a replacement to the JCPOA.

“If (the US) is looking for reasons to increase pressure on Iran that have nothing to do with the (nuclear) deal, and that's how it looks like from what we see, then this is an unworthy method that should not be used by a great power,” Ryabkov said. “We see no reason whatsoever to change the Iran deal.”

Last week, a number of peaceful protests over economic problems broke out in several Iranian cities, but the gatherings turned violent when groups of participants, some of them armed, vandalized public property and launched attacks on police stations and government buildings. Over a dozen people have been killed in the ensuing violence in Iran, according to state media reports.

Taking a provocative and meddlesome stance, US President Donald Trump posted several tweets in defense of rioters, expressing his support for the protests in Iran. 

President of the UNSC Kairat Umarov, however, dismissed Haley’s call on Wednesday and said the 15-member body was not currently planning to hold an emergency meeting on Iran.

No foreign meddling in Iran’s internal affairs: Erdogan

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, prior to his trip to France, fully supported Iran’s stability and strongly rejected any foreign interference.

“Obviously some people from abroad are provoking this situation, and these provocations are not all right, this is an internal Iranian affair ... and people from abroad should not meddle in internal affairs,” the Turkish leader said.

He also said that his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani had assured him that the situation in Iran would stabilize in matter of just a few days, adding that foreigners were acting as provocateurs in Iran.

“I talked with Mr. Rouhani on the phone and... the situation will stabilize within a day or two, there's no need to be worried, that's what they told me,” Erdogan noted.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Iranians from all walks of life took to the streets in several cities to condemn the violence. The participants voiced support for the government and shouted slogans against the US and the Israeli regime for backing the riots. People in Tehran will hold a rally following Friday prayers.

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