UN condemns return of US-Iran conflict, urges dialogue

A number of United Nations experts have condemned the renewed outbreak of conflict between the United States and Iran and urged both parties to immediately halt the escalation and return to the negotiating table. In a statement released on Thursday, the experts assessed that the return of conflict, which erupted just weeks after a 14-point memorandum of understanding was agreed, threatens the safety of civilians, regional stability, and peace efforts. The abandonment of commitments within the agreement damages the prospects for peace, disrupts the human rights of war victims, and weakens the trust needed to end the conflict permanently, the experts said. They stated that the military strikes and counter-strikes that occurred on the night of 12 to 13 July marked a major escalation with impacts felt across several countries in the region. The experts also expressed concern over attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which they consider a disruption to the waterway that endangers civilian seafarers and disrupts global trade. “Civilians across the region must not bear the consequences of this conflict,” they said. The experts urged all parties to comply with human rights law and international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution. They also cited reports of strikes on ports, transport networks, energy infrastructure, and desalination facilities in Iran, as well as projectiles falling near the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. According to data from the Iranian Ministry of Health, at least 50 people were killed and more than 500 others injured as a result of the attacks. The experts stressed that the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in Iran and the region must be a priority. They also assessed that disruptions to maritime trade routes affecting livelihoods in various countries must be ended immediately. The UN experts once again urged all parties to de-escalate tensions and resume negotiations.