In the realm of international relations, consistency is the cornerstone of credibility.

Yet, recent events surrounding Iran’s retaliation against Israel shine a stark light on the selective vision of certain allies, particularly towards Israeli actions.

The United States, Israel and 46 other countries have issued a joint statement “unequivocally” condemning Iran’s “large-scale attack” on Israel.

The new joint letter from 48 countries comes after the UN Security Council (UNSC) failed to issue a joint statement following an emergency meeting called for by Israel.

The Security Council is also yet to adopt a statement condemning the earlier attack by Israel on Iran’s embassy compound in Syria, after the United States, Britain and France blocked a Russian-drafted statement on April 2, 2024.

The statement said, “Several hundred ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and attack drones … could have caused significant damage and loss of life.”

The countries also said that Iran “violated the airspace of several” other countries, putting “at risk the lives of innocent people” and “appeared to traverse airspace near holy sites in Jerusalem.”

More than half of the countries that signed the joint statement were from Europe, with other signatories including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Ecuador, Japan, New Zealand, Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea and South Korea.

The statement also noted that “Iran’s escalatory attack” was “the latest in a pattern of dangerous and destabilising actions by Iran and its militant partners that pose a grave threat to international peace and security.”

The joint statement, unequivocally denouncing Iran’s alleged large-scale attack on Israel, portrays a unified front against aggression. It highlights the grave concern shared by 48 countries over the potential loss of life and destabilization caused by such actions.

Undoubtedly, any breach of international peace and security demands a firm response.

However, amidst this condemnation, the silence regarding Israel’s reported attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus rings loudly.

The 48 countries that signed the joint statement also welcomed efforts to avert a “further immediate escalation of violence in the region” and said there had been “successful coordinated to defend against Iran’s attack,” although it did not mention the countries involved specifically.

It is worth noting that the new letter of condemnation from the US, Israel and 46 other countries “demand[s] that all Council resolutions be fully implemented”, but does not specify which resolutions it is referring to.

Israel has historically ignored UN resolutions and has consistently criticised the United Nations and its agencies in recent months.

Professor Mohamad Elmasry of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, rightly points out the hypocrisy in turning a blind eye to Israeli aggression while singling out Iran for condemnation, saying, it has been “fascinating” to watch as the US and allied countries refuse to condemn, or even acknowledge, Israel’s attack on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus.

“They are turning a blind eye to Israeli aggression and they are throwing all of the blame on Iran, which was just retaliating,” Elmasry said.

“This is what US foreign policy does, and I think we can expect more of that unfortunately,” he told a news agency.

This selective approach undermines the credibility of the joint statement.

It is imperative for allies of Israel to uphold principles of justice and accountability consistently. Failure to condemn Israeli actions when warranted not only erodes trust but also perpetuates a cycle of violence and impunity.

Moreover, overlooking Israeli aggression not only undermines the integrity of international institutions but also hampers efforts towards lasting peace.

True peace in the region can only be achieved through impartiality and a genuine commitment to addressing all forms of aggression, regardless of the perpetrator.

Iran To Be Drenched In Sanctions

According to the EU’s foreign policy Chief, Josep Borrell, several EU members have said that they are looking at imposing further sanctions on Iran, specifically on its drone and missile programmes.

Separately, Charles Michel, President of the EU council, posted on X, “All efforts must be made to help bring stability to the region and avoid escalation.”

He added, “We call on all parties to exercise utmost restraint.”

Michel also called for a ceasefire in Gaza, saying that the EU is “committed” to achieving this goal.

Aside European leaders, the US has been working on a new flurry of sanctions against Iran following its direct attack on Israel over the weekend.

However, Elmasry opined that it is unlikely the already sanctioned country will feel a huge impact from the latest actions.

“You’ve already done most of what you can do with the sanctions. Iran has proven itself to be relatively resilient. They’ve pivoted to Russia and China,” he said.

“So now, for instance, Iran is exporting about 90 percent of its oil to China. They’ve been able to stay afloat, even though they’ve certainly taken a hit economically,” he added.