UNSC Meets on Iran: Emergency session held over protests

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Following protests in Iran that killed more than 20 people, the U.S. requested an emergency session to deliver a scathing rebuke of the Iranian government and throw its full backing behind anti-government protesters.

NIKKI HALEY US AMBASSADOR TO THE UN "In the end, the Iranian people will determine their own destiny. Let there be no doubt whatsoever, the U.S. stands unapologetically with those in Iran who seek freedom for themselves, prosperity for their families and dignity for their nation. We will not be quiet."

Russia was equally scathing in its rebuke of the U.S., accusing the Trump administration of using the Security Council to address an issue for which it has no jurisdiction, because it's not an international peace and security matter.

VASILY NEBENZYA RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UN "The real reason for convening today's meeting is not an attempt to protect human rights or promote the interests of the Iranian people. But rather as a vailed attempt to use the current moment to continue to undermine the Iran nuclear deal."

China also left little doubt about Beijing's position that this was not a place to discuss internal affairs of any country.

WU HAITAO CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO THE UN "The Iranian issue does not pose any threat on international peace and security, nor is it on the agenda of the Security Council. Discussing the domestic situation of Iran by the council is a practice that is not in line with the council's responsibilities as outlined in the UN Charter. Doing so does not help resolve the domestic issue of Iran."

Iran and Russia said that if the Iranian protests is a Security Council matter, so should have been the Ferguson, Missouri Black Lives Matter protests and Occupy Wall Street demonstrations in America.

Iran accused the U.S. of overreaching, and bullying at the UN and meddling in Iran and Middle East internal affairs.

GHOLAMALI KHOSHROO IRANIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UN "It is unfortunate that despite the resistance on the part of some of its member, this council has allowed itself to be abused by the current U.S. administration in holding a meeting on an issue that falls outside the scope of its mandate. There is a long history of U.S. bullying at the UN but this is a preposterous example."

LILING TAN NEW YORK "At the heart of this is the long-running issue over the Iran nuclear deal. And this meeting widens the divide between the U.S.'s criticism of the pact, and an international community that largely stands by it. Liling Tan, CGTN, New York."