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Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Saeed Iravani, sparred with US envoy Mike Waltz at a Security Council session on Sunday, telling the US ambassador to “remain polite”, remarks that drew sharp criticism from Waltz, who accused Tehran of killing “thousands” of its own citizens and imprisoning many others for demanding freedom from “your tyranny”.
“I have only one word: I advise the representative of the United States to be polite,” Iravani said during the emergency meeting.
Moments later, Waltz responded: “Frankly, I’m not going to dignify this with any other response, especially when this representative here in this body represents a regime that has killed thousands of its own people and imprisoned many simply for seeking freedom from your tyranny.”
Ambassador Mike Waltz speaks during a Security Council meeting after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran at the United Nations in New York City on February 28, 2026. (Heather Khalifa/Reuters)
The exchange came during an emergency Security Council briefing after the United States, Israel and Iran entered the war, in which diplomats offered differing interpretations of the extended military operation and its legality under international law.
In extended remarks at the session, Waltz rejected Iran’s “ludicrous and frankly ridiculous claims” that U.S. actions violated international law, arguing that the United States acted “in close coordination with the Israeli government” and “consistent with Article 51 of the UN Charter, which addresses self-defense.”
He also reiterated that Iran supports armed proxies throughout the region and has destabilized the Middle East for decades.
Ambassador Mike Waltz presents ‘America First’ vision for US leadership at the UN
US Ambassador Mike Waltz reiterated that Iran supports armed proxies throughout the region and has destabilized the Middle East for decades. (Heather Khalifa/Reuters)
The clash came against the backdrop of a broader dispute over Iran’s status within the UN system, as first reported by Fox News Digital. Last month, Iran was elected vice-chair of the UN Charter Committee, the body focused on examining and strengthening the principles of the UN’s founding document – a move that was criticized by Israeli and Western officials.
Fox News Digital earlier that month reported the reaction after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a congratulatory message to Iran on the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which critics described as “extremely tone-deaf” given Tehran’s human rights record.
Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeed Iravani speaks at a Security Council meeting in New York City on February 28, 2026. (Heather Khalifa/Reuters)
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The United States is set to assume the rotating presidency of the Security Council on March 1, a role that changes monthly and gives the chairing country control over the council’s agenda and meeting schedule, placing Washington in a crucial procedural position as tensions continue to rise.
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