Statement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, Permanent Representative of Latvia to the United Nations at UN Security Council Briefing on Situation in the Middle East (Iran)
New York, 28 February 2026
Mr. President,
Allow me to begin by thanking the United Kingdom as President of this Council for convening this meeting on such a short notice. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for the briefing provided.
For decades Iran has been a malign, destabilising actor in the region and beyond. It has repeatedly and systematically violated its international obligations and posed a threat to international peace and security. The Iranian regime has attacked and destabilised neighbours, exported terrorism, developed an illegal ballistic missile program, and participated in widespread sanctions circumvention.
Iran has violated UN Security Council resolutions 1696, 1737, 1747, 1803, 1835, 1929. This aggressive behaviour is consistent. It spans decades.
While international law must be respected at all times, the Iranian regime has continuously ignored its responsibilities and binding commitments under the JCPOA and the NPT. The regime has openly maintained its illegal nuclear programme, despite repeated and genuine diplomatic engagement from the European Union, the UK and the US. The IAEA Board of Governors has confirmed over the last 8 months that Iran is failing to engage and to grant monitors access to installations. This is unacceptable. Iran must cease its illegal nuclear programme, comply with its international obligations and return to the negotiating table.
For decades, Iran has maintained terror as its modus operandi. Iran has supported, armed, financed, and trained terrorist groups, such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. It has enabled and emboldened attacks against countries near and afar. It has caused the deaths of thousands of civilians. It has promoted radicalisation and the spread of terrorism. And undermined global energy and maritime security.
Beyond the Middle East, Iran has directly supported Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. More than 50 000 of the same Iranian Shahed drones – now striking numerous countries in the Middle East – have been transferred by Iran to Russia. Iranian weapons and Iranian technology have contributed to killing thousands of innocent Ukrainians. Like Russia in Ukraine, Iran is now bringing terror to innocent civilians in the Gulf countries.
Latvia stands with the brave people of Iran. A brave people that have endured so much. Decades of brutality and repression. Recently, this Council met to address the atrocities perpetrated by the Islamic regime against its own people in the streets of Iran. Latvia and the European Union have already imposed sanctions against the IRGC. The Iranian people must be able to determine their own future free from violence and repression.
Mr. President,
Latvia joins the call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urgent de-escalation. We call on all sides to protect civilians and avoid further escalation.
Latvia condemns the unprovoked Iranian strikes against countries in the region, namely, our fellow member of the Council – Bahrain, and Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates. Strikes on these countries constitute a threat to regional and international peace and security. We stand in solidarity with our partners.
Thank you!