NZ Herald Live: David Seymour holds post-Cabinet press conference
Acting Prime Minister David Seymour claims New Zealand is not “sitting on the fence” but won’t confirm whether the Government accepts the United States’ claim its attacks on Iran were made in self-defence.
The Opposition is urging the Government to deem the attacks on several Iranian nuclear sites abreach of international law, the Greens calling the Government’s response “weak”.
It comes as the number of Kiwis known to be residing in Iran and Israel climbs to almost 250 as the tension between the two warring nations intensifies.
In the hours after the US bombings in support of Israel on Sunday, Foreign Minister Winston Peters refrained from expressing the Government’s position on the attack, later stating it had to be discussed by Cabinet.
In a statement released this afternoon after the Cabinet met, Peters said New Zealand had “consistently opposed Iran’s nuclear programme” and the country couldn’t be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
“In that context, we note the United States’ decision to undertake targeted attacks aimed at degrading Iran’s nuclear capabilities,” the statement read.
“We also acknowledge the US statement to the UN Security Council that it was acting in collective self-defence consistent with the UN Charter.”
Defence Minister Judith Collins and Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters speak from Whenuapai Airbase in Auckland on Sunday. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
He reiterated New Zealand’s support for “all efforts at diplomacy”, encouraging all relevant parties to “return to talks”.
Seymour, standing in for Christopher Luxon who is in Europe ahead of the Nato leaders’ summit, argued New Zealand wouldn’t benefit from “rushing to judgment” about the attacks.
“We’re far better to keep our counsel because it costs nothing to get more information, but going off half-cocked can be very costly for a small nation.
He dismissed any suggestion Peters’ statement was an endorsement of the US’ actions, but also maintained New Zealand wasn’t “sitting on the fence”.
“We shouldn’t blow it by rushing to a conclusion simply because some people would like a highly complicated situation to be drilled down to a yes or a no.”
Australia PM Anthony Albanese today said he supported actions intended to prevent Iran from attaining nuclear weapons, including the US attacks.
Some European countries, including the UK, France and Germany, had noted the US attacks in the context of their belief Iran should not have nuclear weapons, while also calling for de-escalation.
Seymour wouldn’t comment on Albanese’s position, stating there were still questions that needed answering.
“I think first of all we need to verify some of the claims that have been made on both sides, and we also need to understand the effectiveness and the implications of what’s occurred.”
Acting Prime Minister David Seymour stood in for Christopher Luxon, who is in Europe. Photo / Mark Mitchell
He wouldn’t reference specific claims. One appeared to be whether the attacks had destroyed Iran’s nuclear capacity, which Iran disputed.
On the Opposition’s calls to denounce the attacks, Seymour said: “Well, speaking of people that don’t have all the intelligence, I categorise them that way.”
On Sunday, Labour Party defence spokesman Peeni Henare said the Government should declare the US bombings in breach of international law.
“The New Zealand Labour Party does not support the ongoing attacks, including the United States’ bombing of Iran, which is in breach of international law, and the Government should be saying this.”
Henare endorsed Peters in calling for an “immediate end to hostilities and a return to talks”.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins today said the attacks were “almost certainly against international law” before clarifying it was the party’s belief they were unlawful.
He felt the US had not “made out the case” to strike Iran, and the NZ Government should take a stronger position against it.
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson echoed Henare in describing the US attacks as an “illegal bombing” that would inflame tensions across the Middle East, describing the Government’s position as “weak”.
“The actions of the United States pose a fundamental threat to world peace. The rest of the world, including New Zealand, must take a stand and make it clear that this dangerous escalation is unacceptable,” Davidson said.
“This attack is a blatant breach of international law and yet another unjustified assault on the Middle East from the US.
“[The Government] has failed to sanction Israel for its illegal and violent occupation of Palestine, and we risk burning all international credibility by failing to speak out against what the United States has just done.”
The conflict had prompted fears fuel prices could spike through increases in the global oil price.
As of today, Brent crude oil, the international standard, was up 3.17% at US$79.45 ($133.57) per barrel.
Earlier this month, amid rising tensions in the Middle East, JPMorgan analysts forecast that under a “severe outcome”, a closure of the Strait of Hormuz could push oil prices to US$120-130 per barrel.
The Iranian Parliament has voted to shut the important Strait of Hormuz shipping channel in retaliation against the US attacks. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council must decide by tonight whether it moves forward with the decision, according to Iran’s state-run Press TV.
Oilprice.com reported that nearly 20% of global oil moves through the Strait of Hormuz.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis today said she was getting regular updates from Treasury and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the conflict.
She hadn’t received any formal advice on how New Zealand fuel prices could be impacted but acknowledged predictions from economic commentators saying the global oil price would increase, which often resulted in higher fuel costs.
Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.
