Tehran Ready to Support UN Peacekeeping Missions

Iran said it is ready to help the United Nations peacekeeping missions by providing security forces and logistical support.

Gholamali 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, Press TV reported.

“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 of the UN charter,” he said.

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

“Any type of armed intervention by the UN or any other foreign force on the pretext of protecting civilians is not acceptable,” he said.

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