UN Chief, Guterres Reacts to Iran-Israel Crisis
UN Chief, Guterres Reacts to Iran-Israel Crisis
By Roselyn James
António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, has responded to Iran’s weekend strikes on Israel.
In a message and video uploaded to the UN X account, Guterres cautioned that the world and the region could not afford another war, urging everyone to exercise moderation.
INCNews247 reports that Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles against Israel from its territory, most of which were intercepted on Saturday.
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Addressing the recent violence in the Middle East, the UN chief warned against exacerbating tensions, citing the devastation already caused by the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
“It’s time to step back from the brink,” declared Guterres, emphasizing the need to avoid actions that could lead to significant military escalation in the Middle East.
“Acts of retaliation involving the use of force are prohibited by international law,” he stated, referring to the Friendly Relations Declaration of 1970.
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Guterres called for securing an immediate humanitarian truce in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.
He stressed the collective duty to end violence in the occupied West Bank, defuse tensions along the Blue Line, and restore secure passage via the Red Sea.
“We all have a shared obligation to work for peace,” he said, noting the threat to regional and international security posed by ongoing conflicts.