United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has reiterated his urgent call for immediate de-escalation between Israel and Iran, following a dangerous escalation in hostilities that has left over 250 people dead across both nations.
In a strongly worded statement, Guterres appealed for a ceasefire and warned against further internationalization of the conflict. “Any additional military interventions could have enormous consequences, not only for those involved but for the whole region and for international peace and security at large,” he cautioned.
The conflict erupted on Friday when Israel launched a series of strikes on nuclear and military installations in Iran. Tehran responded with retaliatory attacks targeting Israeli cities. The exchange has caused significant civilian casualties and damage to vital infrastructure.
Guterres condemned the “tragic and unnecessary loss of lives,” emphasizing the severe impact on civilians and the destruction of homes and essential facilities. His remarks reflect growing international concern over the spiraling violence and its broader geopolitical implications.
Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that two key Iranian nuclear facilities—TESA Karaj workshop and the Tehran Research Center—were struck in the recent Israeli offensive. These sites, which previously fell under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) monitoring framework, were critical to Iran’s centrifuge production capabilities.
“At the Tehran site, one building was hit where advanced centrifuge rotors were manufactured and tested,” the IAEA noted. “At Karaj, two buildings were destroyed where different centrifuge components were manufactured.” This comes on the heels of an IAEA resolution stating that Iran is not in compliance with its nuclear non-proliferation obligations.
Amid the mounting crisis, Guterres underscored the primacy of diplomacy. “Diplomacy remains the best and only way to address concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear programme and regional security issues,” he stated. Reaffirming the UN Charter as the foundational document for peace, he called on all Member States to respect international law and humanitarian principles.
With regional stability hanging in the balance, the international community now faces renewed pressure to push for a diplomatic resolution before the conflict spirals further out of control.
