UNITED NATIONS (Dispatches) -- Iran’s permanent ambassador to the United Nations says the country is fully prepared to increase its engagement in the world body’s peacekeeping operations through various means.
Majid Takht Ravanchi made the remarks before the UN’s Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, reiterating Iran’s strong commitment and support to the UN peacekeeping missions as the “flagship” activity of the United Nations.
“In this regard, my Government stands ready to increase its contribution to the peacekeeping operations logistically and militarily by deploying troops, military observers, police, and civilians,” said the official.
The Islamic Republic first announced its preparedness to contribute to the United Nations’ peacekeeping missions by providing security forces and logistical support in 2016.
Back then, Iran’s former UN envoy Gholam-Ali Khoshrou underlined the need for strict adherence to the UN Charter’s principles in any peacekeeping operation and the host countries’ responsibility towards protection of the civilian lives.
Takht Ravanchi laid emphasis on the same imperatives as well as “non-use of force except in self-defense and impartiality”.
“Therefore, any military intervention by the United Nations or by any foreign forces under the pretext of protection of civilians should be avoided,” the ambassador said.
“We strongly believe that the respect for principles of sovereign equality, political independence, territorial integrity of all States and non-intervention in matters that are essentially within their domestic jurisdiction should also be upheld in this regard.”