Greek Reporter
Greece Calls for Restraint in the Middle East in UN Security Council Address
Greece’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Aglaia Balta, on Saturday called for restraint and immediate de-escalation in the Middle East, urging for a swift diplomatic solution and the protection of maritime safety in the region.
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency session on Iran in New York, following the joint Israel-US military strikes targeting multiple locations in Iran in the early hours of 28 February 2026.
Addressing the UN Security Council, Ambassador Balta expressed “Greece’s deep concern following today’s escalation,” stressing that “our objective must be a return to substantive negotiations toward a peaceful settlement in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations.”
Emphasizing the need for immediate de-escalation, Greece pointed out that “restraint is imperative,” warning that “the risk of a broader regional confrontation, with potentially serious consequences for international peace and security, is real,” AMNA reports.
Greece warns of prolonged crisis if no diplomatic solution agreed
Ambassador Balta said Greece strongly condemns the Iranian attacks on Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
She warned that “in the absence of a swift diplomatic solution, we may find ourselves facing the consequences of a prolonged crisis,” calling on all parties “to exercise restraint, prevent further escalation of violence, and work urgently toward the resumption of credible channels of dialogue.”
Regarding Iran’s nuclear program, the Greek representative reiterated that “Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon,” on the grounds that “the accumulation of significant quantities of uranium enriched up to 60% by a non-nuclear-weapon state raises serious proliferation concerns and has no credible civilian justification.”
Ambassador Balta highlighted that “full cooperation with the IAEA and strict adherence to international obligations are essential,” adding that “robust, permanent, and verifiable oversight of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programs is a prerequisite for regional stability.”
Greece stressed that “diplomacy, grounded in verification and transparency, remains the only viable way forward.”
Utmost Importance of Maritime Security in Middle East
With regard to maritime security, Greece underscored that “security in the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Red Sea must be fully respected by all parties – now more than ever,” noting “stability is of paramount importance.”
Greece calls on Iran and its allies “to refrain from any reprisals that could jeopardize freedom of navigation, threaten commercial shipping, or further destabilize global energy and trade flows, constituting a blatant violation of the International Law of the Sea, as reflected in UNCLOS,” the ambassador said.
The Ambassador emphasized that the protection of civilians and respect for international law must remain absolute priorities as civilians must not bear the cost of military escalation.
“The humanitarian consequences of further confrontation could be severe,” the Greek representative advised.
She concluded by stating that “the stakes for regional and global peace are extremely high,” and urged Iran “to engage immediately in substantive and good-faith negotiations aimed at achieving a lasting, negotiated solution,” stressing that “failure is not an option.”
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