Lula urges UN Security Council members to change behavior after Iran war failure

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva urged UN Security Council members to change their behavior after the council failed to stop the war in Iran.

The criticism matters because the council’s inaction threatens global stability, fuels regional conflicts, and erodes the international legal order that underpins peacekeeping efforts. By targeting the five permanent members, Lula highlights a structural flaw that many scholars say limits the UN’s ability to act decisively in crises.

Lula delivered his remarks on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Progressive Leaders’ Summit in Barcelona, Spain. The summit gathered heads of state and progressive officials to discuss climate, democracy, and multilateralism, providing a platform for the Brazilian leader to address the United Nations directly ^[2].

"We cannot wake up every morning and go to bed every night with a tweet from a president threatening the world and declaring wars," Lula said, condemning reckless rhetoric that, in his view, emboldens conflict. He said, "The permanent members must reassess their actions after the council's failure to prevent the war in Iran," and warned that the veto power "undermines international law and calls for urgent structural reforms." The remarks were aimed at the five permanent members – the U.S., United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China – which together hold the decisive veto ^[1].

The permanent members’ veto has long been a point of contention. Critics argue that it allows individual states to block resolutions even when the international community overwhelmingly supports action. Lula’s call for reassessment reflects growing frustration that the council cannot prevent wars, as seen in the ongoing conflict in Iran, where diplomatic efforts have stalled.

Lula’s appeal aligns with a broader push for UN reform, including proposals to expand permanent membership, limit veto use, and improve transparency. He warned that without change, the council’s credibility will continue to decline, and its ability to enforce international norms will be further weakened.

While no immediate response from the permanent members was recorded, the speech has reignited debate in diplomatic circles about how to modernize the UN’s highest security body. Observers note that any reform will require consensus among the very nations whose privileges are under scrutiny.

**What this means**: Lula’s demand underscores a widening rift between the UN’s founding principles and the realities of contemporary geopolitics. If the permanent members do not adjust their approach, the council risks losing relevance, potentially prompting member states to seek alternative security arrangements that could reshape global governance.