Iran

The United Nations and the humanitarian community remain deeply concerned for the safety and protection of tens of thousands of men, women and children trapped in Raqqa City in Syria.  Heavy fighting continues to affect civilians, resulting in the displacement of thousands and scores of deaths and injuries.

The Head of the United Nations Mission in Colombia told the Security Council today that, with the final handover of weapons by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army’s (FARC-EP), the United Nations had been requested to establish a second mission aimed at verification and fostering cooperation.

The United Nation’s political chief this afternoon told the Security Council that the 2015 accord on Iran’s Nuclear Programme known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action remained on track, calling on all participants in the agreement to continue to commit to its full implementation.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General strongly condemned the terrorist attacks on the mausoleum of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the Parliament (Majlis) building in Tehran today. Expressing hope that those responsible be brought to justice, he called on all countries to work together in fighting terrorism while upholding universal rights and values.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Sacha Sergio Llorentty Solíz (Bolivia):

Delegates in the Security Council today called for the continued implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear programme, praising the historic accord as a significant diplomatic achievement that had made the world a safer place in the first year of its performance.

The Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process told the Security Council today that despite the relative tranquillity of the Israel-Palestinian conflict compared to other regional crises, the spectre of violence is always near.  He said that all stakeholders must avoid any unilateral action that would prejudge a negotiated final status solution.

A report published today by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the United Nations Human Rights Office details grave human rights abuses as well as serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in Juba during and after the fighting that occurred between 8 and 12 July 2016.