BACKGROUND GUIDE

2026
WISMUN

UNSC
AGENDA : BREAKDOWN ON THE ESCALATING MILITARY CONFRONTATION
BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND IRAN HIGHLIGHTING REGIONAL
STABILITY AND THE PREVENTION OF A WIDER ARMED CONFLICT IN THE WEST
ASIA.
 LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
Esteemed Delegates,
It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the United Nations Security Council for
this year's WISMUN 2026 conference. We hope that you will have a great time here, and
we are looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the important topic we have prepared
for you.

This year, our committee, the Security Council, will be discussing "Breakdown on the
Escalating Military Confrontation between the United States and Iran: Highlighting
Regional Stability and the Prevention of a Wider Armed Conflict in West Asia."

The United States and Iran have had a long and tumultuous relationship, and as of the
attacks in February 2026, and the ceasefire that has since been broken, the world has
never been so close to a large-scale war. As members of the Security Council, you have the
power to decide what the United Nations will do about this growing threat to West Asia,
and the rest of the world.

Whether this is your first MUN or your fourth, we are all very excited to see what you will
do. If it is your first time, then we welcome you to the world of MUNs! If it is not, then
we hope you are as excited as we are to meet again.

This guide is meant to give you a basic background knowledge on the topic, so you may
do more research on your own. Because this is such a volatile topic, delegates are
encouraged to do as much research as possible leading up to the committee. Please make
sure to read this guide thoroughly. The Executive Board is very excited to see what you
will do, and please do not hesitate to contact us with any [Link] are looking
forward to a great committee, full of thought-provoking ideas and realistic resolutions.

Naman Soni Aarush Sodhi Angel Saadeh

DIRECTOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR DIRECTOR
 INTRODUCTION TO THE AGENDA
The United Nations Security Council is one of the six parts of the United Nations. The
United Nations Security Council is the only group within the United Nations that can
make decisions that all countries must follow. This is stated in Article 25. The United
Nations Security Council was created on 17 January 1946. As of 21st July 2026, the
United Nations Security Council has passed 2817 resolutions. According to Article 23
the Security Council must have 25 members. Five of these members are permanent. The
permanent members are The Republic of China, France, the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United
States of America. However, since 1991 the permanent seat that belonged to the USSR is
now held by the Russian Federation. The other members are temporary. These
temporary members are chosen by the General Assembly for a two-year term that cannot
be extended.

The most basic and crucial duty of the Security Council stated in Article 24 [1] of the
Charter is to maintain and safeguard international peace and security. According to the
same Article 24 [1], “the Security Council shall have firsthand responsibility for the
maintenance of international peace and security and shall act in that regard as
mentioned in the Charter”. Member states “tackle on to accept and carry out the
decisions of the Security Council in agreement with the Charter” (Article 25). To simply
put, the Security Council acts on behalf of the UN and is binding on all member states.

In addition, the Charter stipulates that “in discharging these responsibilities the Security
Council shall act in accordance with the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations”
(Article 24 [2]). It is notable that the UNSC serves as a trust agent in certain regions and
votes jointly with the General Assembly on the election of International Court of Justice
judges.

The Security Council has always been important in dealing with problems between
countries. It has punished some countries, allowed the use of force and helped keep peace
in parts of the world.
 The Security Council has acted during the Korean War, the Suez Crisis, the Rwandan
Genocide and the fights in the Balkans, Iraq and Syria. Also it has allowed the creation
of groups that set rules courts like the International Criminal Tribunal for the Yugoslavia
and peace efforts under Chapter VII of the Charter. Still the Security Council's role in
relations is not always accepted because some of the permanent members can stop its
decisions by using their right to say no. At the time changing the Security Council,
including the way it works, how it is organized and who it includes is something people
talk about in the United Nations.

HISTORY AND TIMELINE

Origins of US-Iran Hostility
1953: CIA/British-backed coup removes elected PM Mosaddegh after he
nationalises Iran's oil; Shah reinstalled — a lasting Iranian grievance over foreign
interference.
1979: Iranian Revolution overthrows the Shah and Islamic Republic is established
under Khomeini.
1979–81: US Embassy captured in Tehran with a 444 day hostage crisis. Diplomatic
relations severed and were never restored since.
1980–88: Iran-Iraq War; US provides support to Saddam Hussein against Iran,
deepening Tehran's view of the US as an ally.

The Nuclear Disagreements

2000s: Covert Iranian nuclear facilities revealed which led to sharp escalations in
UN and US-led sanctions.
2015: JCPOA signed, Iran + P5+ Germany (US, UK, France, Russia, China,
Germany), sanctions relief for enrichment limits/inspections.
2018: Trump withdraws US from JCPOA as "maximum pressure" sanctions
reimposed.
Jan 2020: US drone strike kills General Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad, which results
in Iran fighting back with missile strikes on US bases in Iraq (closest to open war in
decades)
2020–2025: Iran expands uranium enrichment beyond JCPOA limits
The Willingness for War (Early 2026)
Early 2026: Oman-mediated talks show genuine progress wherein Iran indicates
willingness to settle on enrichment.
Trump publicly expresses great dissatisfaction with the pace of negotiations.
Feb 28, 2026: Talks collapse, and US and Israel launch coordinated strikes
(Operation Epic Fury) on Iran's nuclear sites and leadership which resulted in the
death of the Supreme Leader Khamenei.

The 2026 War

Iran fights back strongly within hours: missiles on Israel and Gulf states hosting US
forces like Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan.
Strait of Hormuz closed by Iran which led to the burgeoning of global oil prices
(spike past $100/barrel).
Hezbollah joins in support attacks on Israel. Israel then fights back by attacking the
suburbs of Beirut.
March 11, 2026: UNSC adopts Resolution 2817 (13-0-2; China & Russia abstain),
condemns Iran's attacks on Gulf states, reaffirms free Hormuz passage. Russia's
competing draft fails.
April 8, 2026: Ceasefire reached after 40 days of war.
June 2026: US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding signals a possible durable
settlement.

Breakdown (July 2026 – Present)

July 6–7, 2026: Disputes over Iranian conduct in Hormuz; attacks on commercial
shipping.
US launches renewed strikes; Trump declares truce over — then partially walks back
the statement days later.
Tensions continue climbing; no new resolution passed since March
 COUNTRY STANCE
Permanent Members (P5):

United States: The United States thinks Iran is the reason for instability in West Asia.
This is because of Iran’s nuclear program and the fact that it supports groups like
Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iraqi militias. The United States supports sanctions, military
deterrence and, if necessary, military action to protect the United States interests, Israel
and Gulf allies. The United States is on the side of the United States.

United Kingdom: The United Kingdom is a friend and an ally of the United States. It
also supports sanctions and deterrence. It also wants to use diplomacy to prevent a
bigger conflict. The United Kingdom supports making sure the seas are safe and that
international law is enforced. The United Kingdom is on the side of the United States.

France: France backs its friends but it thinks diplomacy is important and wants to make
the JCPOA work again. France does not like Iran's proxy activities and thinks there
should be multilateral solutions which should not favour any one side and should focus
on the global perspective. France is on the side of the United States.

Russia: Russia does not agree with the United States taking action on its own or
imposing sanctions. Russia supports Iran's sovereignty. It thinks negotiations should
happen under the United Nations framework. Russia is on the side of Iran.

China: China has close ties with Iran. China does not like it when sanctions are imposed
or when there is an escalation. It always says that diplomatic talks are the way to go.
China is on the side of Iran.

Principal Regional Actors:

Iran: Iran says that what the United States and Israel are doing is against law and Iran's
sovereignty. Iran thinks its regional alliances are ways to defend itself and wants the
sanctions lifted. Iran is on the side of Iran.

Israel: Israel thinks Iran is the threat to its national security. Israel supports taking action
to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons if necessary.
Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia has always opposed Iran's influence in the region. Now it is
trying to be friends with Iran. Saudi Arabia still thinks Gulf security is important and
wants to work with the United States. Saudi Arabia is on the side of the United States.
Iraq: Iraq is trying to balance its relationships with the United States and Iran so that
Iraq does not become a place where wars are fought. Iraq does not want any foreign
military to take action on land without permission. Iraq is on the side of Iran.

Lebanon: Lebanon says it wants to stay out of things and make peace because Hezbollah
has a lot of influence on some of Lebanon's politics that are connected to Iran. Lebanon
is on the side of Iran.

Yemen: Yemen, if we are talking about the Houthi people, supports Iran. Does not like it
when the United States and Israel take military action. They think this is a way to resist
people from countries coming in. Yemen is on the side of Iran.

Turkey: Turkey is a member of NATO. It makes its own decisions about other countries.
Turkey talks to both Iran and Western countries. Does not want a big fight in the region.
Turkey is neutral.

The United Arab Emirates: The United Arab Emirates is a friend of the United States
and is also getting to know Iran better. They want to work on security and also do
business and talk to each other. The United Arab Emirates is neutral.

Qatar: Qatar has relationships with both Iran and the United States and the United
States has a big military base there. Qatar often helps countries in the region talk to each
other. Qatar is neutral. area and often say that Iran is interfering with their country.
Bahrain wants to keep the sea safe, keep the region stable and protect shipping routes.
Bahrain is on the side of the United States.
Oman: Oman has always been a voice between the United States and Iran. They have
helped the United States and Iran talk to each other many times. Oman wants everyone
to be calm and talk to each other. Oman is neutral.

Egypt: Egypt wants everyone to calm down and be stable in the region. They do not like
groups that use violence. Egypt is neutral.

Jordan: Jordan is a friend of the United States and really wants everyone to calm down
because they are worried about their borders, refugees and the whole region being
unstable. Jordan is neutral.

Bahrain: Bahrain is a friend of the United States and has a big United States navy base.
They do not like Iran's influence in the Gulf area and often say that Iran is interfering
with their country. Bahrain wants to keep the sea safe, keep the region stable and protect
shipping routes. Bahrain is on the side of the United States.

RELEVANT PAST UNITED NATIONS SECURITY

COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS & ACTIONS:

Security Council Meetings on the Escalation between Israel, Iran and the United States
(2025–2026)
In the years 2025 and 2026 the Security Council met at times in emergency sessions after
direct interactions between Iran, Israel and the United States. These meetings involved
attacks on Iranian nuclear sites and what those attacks could mean for world peace and
security. Even though no strong decision was made because of disagreements among the
members, the members always said they wanted calm, they wanted to respect the UN
Charter and they wanted more talks between countries.

UNSC Resolution 2722 (2024)

Topic: Attacks on Commercial Shipping in the Red Sea
The resolution said that the attacks by the Houthis on ships in the Red Sea were wrong.
It told the Houthis to stop attacking away. It said again that freedom of navigation is
important under law. This is connected to the tensions between the United States and
Iran because Iran helps the Houthis and because the sea routes are very important for
trade.
UNSC Resolution 2231 (2015)
Topic: Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)
This resolution supported the Iran Nuclear Deal known as the JCPOA. It created a
system for the IAEA to check and watch Iran's program. It made a plan to remove UN
nuclear-related punishments if Iran followed the rules. This still forms the base of the
United Nations talks, about Iran's program and about stopping the spread of nuclear
weapons.

UNSC Resolution 2216 (2015)

Topic: Yemen
The United Nations Security Council demanded that the Houthis stop fighting and
withdraw from the territory they took over. They also imposed sanctions on the leaders
of the Houthis. The council reaffirmed its support for the government of Yemen that is
recognized by the community. This is important because the Houthis are a group that is
supported by Iran and they have been involved in attacks on ships in the region and on
United States forces.

UNSC Resolution 1701 (2006)

Topic: Israel–Lebanon Conflict This resolution called for Israel and Hezbollah to
completely stop fighting each other. It also gave the United Nations Interim Force in
Lebanon power to do its job. Additionally it called for all groups that are not controlled
by the Lebanese government to give up their weapons. This resolution still influences
what people talk about when it comes to Hezbollah, which's one of Iran's main allies in
the region.

Other Relevant UN Actions :

The International Atomic Energy Agency is still monitoring and reporting on Iran's
activities as required by Resolution 2231. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
is still watching the border between Israel and Lebanon. Helping to keep things stable in
the area as required by Resolution 1701. The UN Secretary-General has asked everyone
to remain calm and to follow law many times after there have been tensions between the
United States and Iran and, between Iran and Israel. He has also asked that civilians be
protected and that things do not get out of hand.
RELEVANT ARTICLES OF THE CHARTER OF THE

UNITED NATIONS:
Article 1(1) "To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take
effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and
for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring
about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and
international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which
might lead to a breach of the peace."

Article 2(1) "The Organization is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all
its Members."

Article 2(3) "All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in
such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered."

Article 2(4) "All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or
use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in
any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations."

Article 24 "In order to ensure prompt and effective action by the United Nations, its
Members confer on the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of
international peace and security, and agree that in carrying out its duties under this
responsibility the Security Council acts on their behalf."

Article 25 "The Members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the
decisions of the Security Council in accordance with the present Charter."

Article 33(1) "The parties to any dispute, the continuance of which is likely to endanger
the maintenance of international peace and security, shall, first of all, seek a solution by
negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to
regional agencies or arrangements, or other peaceful means of their own choice."
Article 34 "The Security Council may investigate any dispute, or any situation which
might lead to international friction or give rise to a dispute, in order to determine
whether the continuance of the dispute or situation is likely to endanger the maintenance
of international peace and security."

Article 35(1) "Any Member of the United Nations may bring any dispute, or any
situation of the nature referred to in Article 34, to the attention of the Security Council
or of the General Assembly."

Article 36(1) "The Security Council may, at any stage of a dispute of the nature referred
to in Article 33 or of a situation of like nature, recommend appropriate procedures or
methods of adjustment."

Article 39 "The Security Council shall determine the existence of any threat to the peace,
breach of the peace, or act of aggression and shall make recommendations, or decide
what measures shall be taken in accordance with Articles 41 and 42, to maintain or
restore international peace and security." inadequate, it may take such action by air, sea,
or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and
security."

Article 40 "In order to prevent an aggravation of the situation, the Security Council may,
before making the recommendations or deciding upon the measures provided for in
Article 39, call upon the parties concerned to comply with such provisional measures as
it deems necessary or desirable."

Article 41 "The Security Council may decide what measures not involving the use of
armed force are to be employed to give effect to its decisions, and it may call upon the
Members of the United Nations to apply such measures. These may include complete or
partial interruption of economic relations and of rail, sea, air, postal, telegraphic, radio,
and other means of communication, and the severance of diplomatic relations."

Article 42 "Should the Security Council consider that measures provided for in Article 41
would be inadequate or have proved to be inadequate, it may take such action by air, sea,
or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and
security."
Article 51 "Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or
collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United
Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain
international peace and security."

Chapter VIII – Article 52(1) "Nothing in the present Charter precludes the existence of
regional arrangements or agencies for dealing with such matters relating to the
maintenance of international peace and security as are appropriate for regional action..."

QUESTIONS A RESOLUTION MUST ANSWER

[Link] United Nations Security Council needs to make sure that a military confrontation
between the United States and Iran does not lead to problems with groups like
Hezbollah, Iraqi militias, Houthis and Syrian groups and that the whole region does not
become unstable.

[Link] United Nations Security Council should think about setting up ways to watch and
monitor things so that Iran cannot send arms, money and training to groups in Iraq,
Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

[Link] United Nations Security Council should think about what changes it needs to
make to the sanctions against Iran so that Iran will want to talk and work out a deal to
stop its program.

[Link] United Nations Security Council has to make sure that ships can sail freely
through the Strait of Hormuz and that energy supplies are not blocked.

[Link] like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Iraq, Turkey,
Pakistan and India should be encouraged to help prevent things from getting out of
hand and to stop escalation.

[Link] United Nations Security Council needs to make sure that both sides are following
the ceasefire agreement from June 2026 and it needs to decide what to do if either side
does not follow the agreement.
QUESTIONS A RESOLUTION MUST ANSWER
[Link] United Nations Security Council should think about setting up a way to
investigatse if international humanitarian law is being broken.

[Link] United Nations Security Council needs to come up with a way to warn about
problems so that the United States and Iran do not have dangerous misunderstandings.

[Link] United Nations Security Council needs to think about how to respond to changes
in the leadership and the strengthening of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

[Link] United Nations Security Council should make sure that people in need, in Iran,
Lebanon, Iraq and other countries get the help they need.

[Link] United Nations Security Council should think about sending monitors and
observers to areas where things are being calmed down to make sure both sides are
following the agreement.

[Link] United Nations Security Council should find a way to stop people from countries
from joining Iran’s groups.

KEY TERMS
Legal & Diplomatic Concepts
UN Charter Article 51: The right of individual or collective self-defense if an armed
attack occurs, before the Security Council takes action.

UN Charter Article 2(4): The prohibition of the threat or use of force against the
territorial integrity or political independence of any state, which is at the center of the
legality debate over the US/Israel attacks.

Sovereignty: The state’s exclusive jurisdiction over its territory, free from external
intervention, which forms the basis for the opposition from Russia/China to the attacks
on Iran.
KEY TERMS
Preemption/Anticipatory Self-Defense: An attack made in response to an imminent, but
not yet occurred, attack, which is the basis for the US’s defense of its right to attack
Iran.

Proportionality: A principle of international law requiring that a response to a security

threat be commensurate with the scale of that threat, which will be central to judging the
response to Iran’s nuclear program.

Non-Proliferation: The prevention of dissemination of nuclear weapons, central to the

NPT and IAEA safeguards agreement, which Iran violated through its secret enrichment
program. IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency): The UN agency that monitors
compliance with international nuclear standards, tasked with verifying Iran’s
commitments under the JCPOA.

JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action): The 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which was
terminated by the US in 2018, which is at the center of the debate over Iran’s nuclear
program.

Sanctions Regime: The coercive economic and political measures imposed by states,
typically in response to unacceptable policies, which were applied by the US against Iran
before the JCPOA and after its termination.

Maximum Pressure Campaign: The tightening of sanctions against Iran by the Trump
administration to compel it to concessions on its nuclear program.

Conflict-Specific Terms

Strait of Hormuz: A critical waterway through which oil from the Persian Gulf is
transported, the security of which is a primary strategic concern for the committee.

Axis of Resistance: The bloc of pro-Iran states and organisations, including Hezbollah,
the Houthis, and Iran-backed militias in Iraq, that oppose US-Israeli regional hegemony.
Proxy Actors/Non-State Actors: Entities not under the direct control of a state but acting
on its behalf, such as Hezbollah and the Houthis, which are crucial allies of Iran.

Decapitation Strike: An attack targeting the leadership or command structure of an

adversary, such as an attack on Khamenei, which could have severe consequences if used
against the Israeli PM.

Ceasefire vs. Peace Agreement: A ceasefire is a commitment by warring parties to

suspend fighting, while a peace agreement is a formal end to hostilities, with a peace deal
required to comprehensively resolve the Israel-Hizballah conflict.

De-escalation Mechanism: Any approach, agreement, or means that aims to prevent the
renewal of largescale conflict, including measures such as ceasefires, disengagement of
forces, and diplomatic negotiations.

Regime Change: The violent overthrow of an existing government, which has been
suggested as an option by President Trump to remove Iran’s leadership.

Spillover Effect: The indirect impact of a conflict on other states or peoples, such as the
potential for spillover effects in Lebanon and Iraq, which would need to be considered
before attacking Iran.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): An informal agreement outlining the terms of a

deal, which the US and Iran are expected to sign, which is non-binding but indicates the
parties’ intent.

Enrichment (of Uranium): The process of raising the concentration of fissile isotopes in
enriched uranium, the level of which determines its military application, at the center of
the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program.
Bloc-Related Terms

GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council): The regional alliance of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, which sponsors Resolution 2817.

Global South: The majority world, encompassing developing countries, including

emerging powers such as Brazil and India, which tend to advocate for a rules-based
global governance system.

Track II Diplomacy: Private sector initiatives that facilitate unofficial negotiations

between warring states, which Oman has been engaging in with Israel.

Co-sponsorship (of a resolution): Additional support provided by states to a resolution,

typically when they agree with its general principles but not its finer details, which
Resolution 2817 received from a record number of 135 states, indicating broad opposition
to Iran’s nuclear program outside of the Council.

Military & Strategic Terms

Chokepoint: A narrow geographic passage critical to global trade/military movement,

whose blockage has outsized strategic impact — the Strait of Hormuz is the defining
example here.

Ballistic Missile: A guided missile that follows a high-arcing trajectory; Iran's primary
retaliatory weapon against Israel and Gulf states.

Air Defense System: Technology (e.g., Iron Dome, Patriot batteries) that are used to
intercept incoming missiles/drones (relevant to Jordan's interception of Iranian
projectiles).

CENTCOM (US Central Command): The US military command monitoring operations

across the Middle East, which include strikes on Iran.
 Force Posture: The positioning, readiness, and scale of a country's military presence in
a region (e.g., US bases in the Gulf).

Deterrence: Preventing an adversary's action through the threat of a credible, costly

response, central to both US and Iranian strategic logic.

Asymmetric Warfare: Conflict between actors of unequal conventional military

strength, where the weaker side (e.g., Iran's proxies) uses unconventional tactics like
missiles, drones, or militia attacks.

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SOURCES NOT TO USE INCLUDE WIKIPEDIA, RANDOM SITES WITH .COM AND
NON UN RATIFIED SITES.