Iranian activist and outspoken regime critic Masih Alinejad delivered a powerful and confrontational address at an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, accusing Iran’s government of attempting to assassinate her on multiple occasions. Speaking directly to Iran’s Deputy UN Ambassador Gholamhossein Darzi, seated across the chamber, Alinejad said Tehran had tried to kill her three times, including an incident near her home in Brooklyn where she claims to have seen a would-be assassin.

In an emotionally charged statement, Alinejad warned that Iran’s internal repression is intensifying and that international condemnation without concrete action has failed to deter the regime. She compared the Iranian government’s actions to those of extremist groups, arguing that it should be treated with the same seriousness to prevent further loss of innocent lives.

The emergency session was convened by the United States amid growing unrest and protests inside Iran. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said the demonstrations reflect an unprecedented challenge to Iran’s leadership, stressing that Washington stands firmly with the Iranian people. He rejected Tehran’s claims that the protests are driven by foreign interference, describing the regime as increasingly fearful of its own citizens.

At the same time, UN officials urged caution, warning that further escalation, including potential military action against Iran, could destabilise an already volatile region. On behalf of Secretary-General António Guterres, senior UN officials called for restraint and reiterated that tensions involving Iran, including concerns over its nuclear programme, should be addressed through dialogue and diplomatic engagement rather than force.