Israel calls for 'all possible sanctions' against Iran amid war of words at UNSC

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday (April 14) warned the international community against descending deeper into conflict as Israel called for "all possible sanctions" against Iran.

Guterres was addressing the Security Council meeting which was held to address the weekend attack by Iran on Israel in which Tehran fired more than 300 missiles and drones at Tel Aviv in response to the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria.

"Neither the region nor the world can afford more war. The Middle East is on the brink," said Guterres, while speaking at the Security Council. 

"The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate," he said and appealed for "maximum restraint."

In his speech, Guterres condemned the strikes launched by Iran on Israel and the attack allegedly carried out by the Israeli government at the Iranian consulate in Damascus. 

"It's time to step back from the brink. It is vital to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East," said Guterres.

He also further appealed for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza, which as per the experts is on the brink of famine.

During the Security Council session, which was called by Israel to address the simmering crisis, Ambassador Gilad Erdan appealed to the council to "take action (and) condemn Iran for their terror."

The Security Council must "impose all possible sanctions on Iran before it's too late," he said. 

He said that Iran had violated international law and played a video in which Israel was seen intercepting Iranian drones above the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem.

Erdan further appealed to the body to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terror organisation.

"The snooze button is no longer an option. The only option is to condemn Iran and utilise every means necessary to make them pay a heavy price for their horrible crimes," said Erdan, in the meeting.

Meanwhile, Iran's UN envoy Amir Saeid Iravani claimed that the Islamic Republic was exercising its "inherent right to self-defence."

"The Security Council... failed in its duty to maintain international peace and security," said Iravani. 

Hence, Tehran "had no choice" but to respond, Iravani said, further stating that his country does "not seek escalation or war," but they will respond to any "threat or aggression".

"If the US initiates military operations against Iran, its citizens, or its security and interests, Iran will use its inherent right to respond proportionately," Iravani said.