Security Council

The United Nations Security Council serves as the principal global body tasked with maintaining international peace and security. To enforce these principles, the Security Council has the authority to pass binding resolutions that all members are obliged to comply with; this includes imposing economic sanctions and deploying peacekeeping troops. This year, the Security Council will function by using a perceptual moderated caucus, where delegates can constantly propose directives in response to the crisis, and the dais will update that situation accordingly. There will still be 5 permanent UN members and 10 non-permanent nations elected by the General Assembly for a two-year term. Note: The permanent 5 countries will NOT be wielding any veto power within the Security Council at HSMUN. 

On February 28th, 2026, the United States of America and Israel launched an airstrike, indicating the start of the regional conflict. Preluding the conflict were escalating tensions between Iranian and US officials, particularly, the deaths of citizens who dissented the current, and now former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In early January, the United States publicly condemned their deaths and in response, more Iranian dissenters were killed which the United States government perceived as a direct affront to their earlier warnings. Officially, the justification given for the war by the United States was because the administration had identified Iran as an imminent threat, however, no clear evidence substantiates the necessity for a United States invasion. The United States entered into the war alongside Israel which shared the United States goal of toppling the regime inside of Iran and dismantling Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities. During the conflict, Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed and replaced by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, which controls the passage of approximately 20% of the world’s oil shipments, resulting in a global energy crisis and consequently, driving the price for oil and other resources up.

Iran is an Islamic theocracy and on paper, its structure resembles the United States with an elected president, strong judiciary, and active legislature. At the top of Iran’s structure is the Supreme Leader, who wields larger influence over Iran’s domestic and foreign affairs. After that is the president, whose functions are limited by Iran’s constitution, then parliament, and lastly the assembly of experts. Despite this, Iran operates as an authoritarian state as extreme political power is consolidated in the hands of the Supreme Leader. The conflict between Iran and the United States has largely been shaped by heavy political tension surrounding nuclear policy and economic sanctions, and conflicting interests. While the United States involvement has largely been framed around security concerns and humanitarian intervention in opposition to Iran’s government, many speculate that the involvement of the United States was motivated by strategic interests, most critically being access to energy resources and influence in a region full of resources.

While some believe that the invasion of Iran was the correct course of action in order to protect Iranian citizens from growing political instability, others argue that the actions of the United States was a violation of country sovereignty in an attempt to secure Iran’s resources and that each country reserves the right to handle its domestic affairs accordingly. Heavy debate also surrounds the economic implications of this conflict especially regarding the instability in global oil markets and the resulting surge in prices worldwide and the ongoing impact of sanctions.

Presently, the United States and Iran have reached a non-binding memorandum of understanding, temporarily ending the conflict, but with such a critical and ever-evolving conflict, it is subject to change.

1. To what extent should national security and defense be prioritized over another country’s territorial integrity?

2. Under what circumstances is foreign military intervention justified? Does the protection of human life supersede a nation’s right to sovereignty?

3. Should nations be sanctioned for failing to act in response to a country’s conflict, even at the cost of human life? Why or why not?

4. Should countries economically impacted by the closing of the Strait of Hormuz be eligible for re-compensation?

5. Should economic motivations undermine the legitimacy of a humanitarian intervention?

• Conflict With Iran | Global Conflict Tracker

• The Iran Strikes, Explained: How We Got Here and What It Means | AJC

• Iran: Background and U.S. Policy | Congress.gov