Statement by a Russian representative during the Interactive Dialogue on the human rights situation in Iran, 61th Session of the UN Human Rights Council:

�� March 16, 2026, Geneva

���� We are extremely concerned about the developments around Iran. The actions taken by the United States and Israel are yet another unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN Member State, in violation of the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international law. They are blatantly aimed at further interference in Iran's internal affairs and the destruction of this State, which is "inconvenient" to the West. This irresponsible move by Washington and West Jerusalem has already led to a sharp escalation of the situation throughout the region and risks a humanitarian and economic catastrophe. Against this backdrop, attempts by Western countries to justify their aggression against Iran with some supposed threats to international peace and security are completely unfounded.

❗️ We call on the United States and Israel to immediately stop their aggressive actions. We insist on the immediate resumption of a political and diplomatic settlement of the situation based on international law, mutual respect, and a balance of interests.

❌ We categorically condemn attempts to politicize human rights issues, which have become a tool for the "collective West" to pressure States unwilling to follow the course imposed on them from the outside. The example of Iran demonstrates how Western countries consistently pursue a long-established course of destabilizing states they find undesirable under pseudo-humanitarian pretexts. We believe that labeling others for political reasons discredits UN bodies, including the Human Rights Council. We call for an end to this vicious practice.

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