Sierra Leone has publicly condemned Israel’s military strikes on Iran during an emergency briefing at the UN Security Council on Friday, calling them illegal and urging a return to diplomacy.
At the High-Level Briefing on “Threats to International Peace and Security – Iran,” Sierra Leone’s delegation delivered a forceful reaction:
1. Breach of UN Charter
Sierra Leone “strongly deplores the unlawful use of force in breach of the UN Charter,” urging all parties toward de-escalation, restraint, and renewed diplomatic engagement in the Middle East.
2. Alarm Over Nuclear Site Strikes
The delegation voiced “grave alarm” at reports of Israeli strikes near Iran’s nuclear installations—warning that such attacks risk unleashing catastrophic consequences. Sierra Leone “urges dialogue, not confrontation.”
3. Call for Cessation and Respect for Sovereignty
With the Middle East “at a precipice,” Sierra Leone demanded an immediate halt to hostilities, affirming respect for sovereignty and the urgent need to recommit to peaceful negotiations. The country aligned with UN Secretary‑General António Guterres in urging “maximum restraint, de‑escalation, and the return to diplomatic solutions.” 
4. Concern for Palestine Conference Delay
Sierra Leone expressed regret over the postponement of the High‑Level Conference on Palestine and the Two‑State Solution, calling for its swift reconvening to advance peace in the region.
Diplomatic tensions are rising following what UN Under‑Secretary‑General Rosemary DiCarlo described as a “series of air strikes” by Israel across Iran, targeting military and radar sites—including areas adjacent to nuclear facilities—prompting Iran to respond with drone attacks.
Meanwhile, global reactions have mounted: Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tunisia and others have also voiced concern, denouncing the attacks and urging restraint on all sides
In retaliation to Israel’s strikes on key sites including Natanz and Isfahan, Iran launched over 100 ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Some projectiles penetrated Israeli air defenses, killing at least three civilians and injuring dozens.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the Israeli attacks as a “declaration of war,” pledging that the strikes would bring “ruin to the Zionist regime”.
UN officials, including IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, warned of contamination risks at nuclear sites and urged both nations to exercise maximum restraint.
With missiles flying and diplomacy sidelined, the conflict now rests on fragile calculations—whether further escalation or renewed negotiations will dominate the coming days remains uncertain. The Security Council faces urgent pressure to intervene and steer the crisis toward de-escalation.
Sierra Leone, a current non‑permanent member of the UN Security Council, is stepping into a high-stakes diplomatic environment. By casting Israeli strikes as violations of international law and emphasizing the protection of nuclear sites, Freetown is aligning itself with a broader international call for de‑escalation—an approach likely aimed at bolstering its standing on the global stage while advocating for multilateral conflict resolution.
