Iran Ready to Support UN Peacekeeping Missions: Khoshrou

Gholam-Ali Khoshrou, Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, made the announcement while addressing the global body’s general assembly in New York on Tuesday.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that devising any mechanism by the UN for addressing problems hindering peacekeeping operations and the deployment of peacekeepers… must be carried out in accordance with the goals and principles written in the United Nation’s charter,” he said.

He also stressed that a host country’s primary responsibility is the protection of civilians in conflict zones, an action which should also be carried out by peacekeeping missions.

He further noted that any manner of armed intervention by the UN or any other foreign force on the pretext of protecting civilians is not acceptable.

Khoshrou emphasized that dealing with the misconduct of peacekeepers, such as the sexual exploitation and abuse of locals, must be a priority for the UN.