Statement by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar at the UNSC Open Briefing on The situation in the Middle East

Thank you very much, Madam President. I want to thank the Secretary General for joining us and sharing with us his assessment of the situation. I also want to welcome the presence of the representatives of Israel, of Iran and Syria at the meeting.

I would like to start by expressing our deepest concern over the recent developments in the Middle East. We strongly condemn the large-scale attack on Israel, launched by the Islamic Republic of Iran yesterday.

We resolutely deplore this serious escalation, as we have done in the case of the attack on the Iranian consulate last week. The sequence of these events threatens to accelerate the spiral of violence, escalating into a broader conflict of unpredictable scope. It is crucial for all involved parties to recognize the severity of the situation and immediately cease hostilities.

We call on all countries to respect and act in accordance with international law. We once again underline that the same standards apply to all Member States, and all of us have the obligation to uphold the UN Charter.

First, let me underline our concern over the regional escalation and its spill over effects. We share the concerns of the Secretary General that the danger of a devastating region-wide escalation is present. It is imperative that every action taken by the involved parties be measured and deliberate to avoid further escalation since any miscalculation can lead us to the point of no return. The situation is highly alarming, deeply worrying and extremely volatile.

Second, Slovenia has consistently called for de-escalation and restraint. Today we repeat our call to all actors in the region to show maximum restraint. We call on countries with influence on state and non-state actors to exert that influence, and prevent the worst from happening. We urge everyone to choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy, and refrain from further retaliations. We therefore welcome today’s meeting as a step towards de-escalation and a peaceful settlement of the dispute.

Thirdly, we have been witnessing the significant impact of the devastating situation in Gaza on the region, including along the Blue Line, in the Red Sea and elsewhere. It is our collective responsibility to take immediate action. By adopting Resolution 2728, we took a step forward in addressing the crisis. However, our failure to ensure its full implementation represents a critical setback. Slovenia continues to believe that a ceasefire in Gaza would have a calming effect on tensions in the region. Every moment we delay, the risk of a broader conflict increases.

Madam President,

In these chaotic times, another major military confrontation in the Middle East could lead to devastating consequences for the region and the world. Placing the interests of the people in the region and international peace and security first, Slovenia calls for restraint by all actors and a return to diplomacy. As a Security Council member, we are ready to fully engage in a comprehensive response to the crisis in the region.

Thank you.

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