UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Photo: Eric Bridiers.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has sharply criticised the US air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, saying that this represents a dangerous escalation of the situation in the Middle East and a threat to global peace. He made the statement on social network X.
“Deeply concerned”
“I am deeply concerned by the United States’ use of force against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region that is already on the brink, and a direct attack on international peace and security,” Guterres said.
Threat of loss of control
The UN chief stressed that there is a “growing risk that this conflict could quickly spiral out of control with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region and the world”.
He called on UN member states to exercise restraint:
“I call on Member States to de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under the UN Charter and international law.”
Only diplomacy
In his statement, Guterres stressed that at this critical moment, the world must avoid a “spiral of chaos” and reminded that “there is no military solution”.
“Diplomacy is the only way forward. All hope is for peace,” the Secretary General concluded.