United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities significantly escalate the risk of a broader conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking at an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Sunday—convened to address mounting threats to international peace and security—Guterres said the strikes had caused “serious damage to the international order”and could trigger an uncontrollable cycle of retaliation.
“We now risk descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation,” Guterres cautioned, stressing that diplomacy must now prevail.
The U.S. launched overnight strikes on three Iranian uranium enrichment sites, in what it described as a show of support for Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Iran. The strikes follow 10 days of deadly exchanges between Tehran and Tel Aviv, initiated by Israeli attacks targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
A Call for Ceasefire and Dialogue
Guterres urged all parties to act “immediately and decisively” to halt the fighting and return to serious, sustained negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
“The people of the Middle East cannot endure another cycle of destruction. We must pursue the path of de-escalation, diplomacy, and dialogue.”
He also reiterated the need for Iran to fully comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), calling it a cornerstone of international peace and security. Iran has long denied allegations that it seeks to develop nuclear weapons, insisting its programme is for peaceful energy purposes.
Stark Choice for Key Players
The UN chief issued a clear warning to Israel, Iran, and the United States, saying they face a stark choice:
“One path leads to a wider war, deeper human suffering and serious damage to the international order. The other leads to diplomacy and dialogue.”
A Dangerous Moment, Warns UN Political Chief
Also briefing the Security Council, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenča described the situation as “a dangerous moment”, warning that the conflict is at risk of spiraling out of control.
“The region risks being engulfed in further instability and volatility,” Jenča said. “There is no military solution to this conflict.”
He reported that hostilities between Iran and Israel had now entered their tenth consecutive day, with a rising civilian toll. According to Jenča, at least 430 people have been killed in Iran, most of them civilians. Israel has reported 25 dead and over 1,300 injured since the escalation began.
Jenča also raised alarms about non-state actors joining the fray, specifically mentioning the Houthis in Yemen, whose potential retaliation could further expand the conflict.
Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament has expressed support for closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime trade route, adding to fears of global economic disruption.
“The world will not be spared from the ramifications of this dangerous conflict,” Jenča warned, calling on all states to uphold international law and the UN Charter.
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