UN Chief warns of devastating consequences after US strikes on Iran

The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, António Guterres, has warned that the recent US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities will only increase the risk of a wider war.

Speaking at an emergency meeting of the Security Council, Guterres said the strikes had done “serious damage to the international order”.

“We now risk descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation,” Guterres cautioned, stressing the need for diplomacy to prevail.

He urged the international community to act immediately and decisively to halt the fighting and return to serious negotiations on the Iran nuclear programme.

The UN chief emphasized that the people of the Middle East cannot endure another cycle of destruction, and demanded a ceasefire.

“One path leads to a wider war, deeper human suffering and serious damage to the international order. The other leads to de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue,” he said.

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Miroslav Jenča, also warned that the world is facing a “dangerous moment” and that the region risks being “engulfed in further instability and volatility”. He noted that most of the 430 killed in Iran have been civilians, while Israel has reported 25 dead and over 1,300 injured.

The UN officials are urging countries to act in line with international law and the UN Charter to prevent further escalation .