Dialogos

UN Security Council Discusses Situation in Iran

Published January 16, 2026, 07:04
UN Security Council Discusses Situation in Iran

The UN Security Council discussed the situation in Iran, at the request of the United States, focusing on the recent nationwide protests. The Assistant Secretary-General of the UN, Martha Pobbi, briefed the Council on the escalation of violence and reports of hundreds or even thousands of deaths, although the UN cannot confirm these figures. The Iranian government attributes the violence to “terrorists” and “rioters”. The UN expressed deep concern over the excessive use of force, mass arrests (over 18,000) and lack of access to information, calling for humane treatment of detainees and an immediate halt to executions. The risk of further destabilization due to statements about potential military strikes was highlighted, with emphasis on the need for diplomacy and dialogue.