Iran warns of 'explosion' after US vetoes on Gaza ceasefire bid

Iran issued a warning on Saturday of the threat of an "uncontrollable explosion" of the situation in the Middle East after the United States blocked a UN Security Council resolution that called for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the chief diplomat of the Islamic Republic, also urged the immediate opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

The United States vetoed a United Nations resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza, where Israeli troops rounded up Palestinian men in the northern part of the territory for interrogation, seeking Hamas militants.

The U.N. vote came after Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the first time invoked Article 99 of the U.N. Charter, which enables a U.N. chief to raise threats he sees to international peace and security. He warned of a “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.

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U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood said halting military action would allow Hamas to continue to rule Gaza and “only plant the seeds for the next war.”

Around 1,200 people have died on the Israeli side, mainly civilians killed during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war. The Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said the death toll in the territory has surpassed 17,400, with more than 46,000 wounded. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths, but said 70% of the dead were women and children.

With agency inputs.