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The United States request to include Iran’s protests in the United Nations Security Council agenda on the Middle East was firmly criticized by Bolivia’s representative Friday who labeled it an unwelcome and "clumsy" initiative
Bolivia’s representative also called the request “a blatant attempt by some missions to bring to the attention of the Security Council to issues that do not fall into the purview of this body,” as the events in the Islamic Republic of Iran “do not pose a threat to international peace and security.”
The statement, backed by other nations, carry an implicit criticism of the U.S. for refusing to acknowledge the Security Council’s main responsibility which is maintaining international peace and security.
The U.N. Security Council met to discuss the protests that erupted in Iran over a week ago. The demonstrations initially responded to price hikes and economic ills, but later turned against the political establishment causing violent incidents that resulted in at least 22 deaths and hundreds of arrests.
Demonstrations were quickly backed by Iran’s main international detractors: the U.S.,Israel. U.S. President Donald Trump cheered on protesters, calling Iran a "brutal and corrupt regime," while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "wish[ed] the Iranian people success in their noble quest for freedom.”
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Echoing Iran’s concern that the demonstrations were fueled by outside powers to promote regime change, Bolivia reminded world powers that “unilateral action, political interventionism, and regime change only ever lead to devastating humanitarian, social and economic consequences.”
The meeting was a defeat for U.S. diplomatic interests as countries in the Security Council defended the principles of sovereignty and non-interventionism.
Furthermore, U.S.-allied France and the U.K. defended the the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear program, and noted Iran’s compliance.
Also Russia claimed the U.S.'s goal in calling for the meeting was to undermine the 2015 deal between Tehran and six world powers, which was criticized and threatened by the Trump administration at the meeting.
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