UN Secretary-General urges de-escalation after US-Israel attacks on Iran

The United Nations, New York (ANTARA) — UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities in the Middle East following attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran and subsequent retaliatory strikes from Tehran.

“I call for immediate de-escalation and the cessation of hostilities. The alternative is a wider conflict with serious consequences for civilians and regional stability,” Guterres said during a UN Security Council meeting.

As reported by RIA Novosti from UN headquarters in New York on Sunday, Guterres urged all parties to return immediately to the negotiating table, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, to prevent the crisis from worsening.

“For this reason, I urge all member states to strictly comply with their obligations under international law, including the UN Charter,” he stated.

Guterres also called on all parties to respect and protect civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law and to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities.

“Let us act responsibly and together to pull this region, and our world, back from the brink of conflict,” he said.

The United States and Israel launched a series of attacks against numerous targets in Iran, including Tehran, on Saturday, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties.

Iran subsequently launched retaliatory strikes consisting of missiles targeting Israeli territory and military installations operated by the United States in the Middle East.