Quick Read
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in the Israel-Iran conflict.
- Over 200 people have been killed in Iran and 24 in Israel since the conflict began on June 13.
- The UN warns against the internationalization of the conflict, emphasizing diplomacy as the only solution.
- Iran’s nuclear facilities have been targeted, raising concerns about potential hazardous leaks.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which has now entered its sixth day. The conflict, which began on June 13, has resulted in significant casualties and widespread destruction, with over 200 people killed in Iran and 24 in Israel.
UN’s Call for De-escalation
In a statement issued on June 18, Guterres expressed profound alarm over the escalating violence and urged both parties to cease hostilities. “I remain profoundly alarmed by the ongoing military escalation in the Middle East between Israel and Iran. I reiterate my call for immediate de-escalation leading to a ceasefire,” he said. The UN chief emphasized the need for diplomacy to address concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program and regional security issues.
Humanitarian Concerns
The conflict has had devastating humanitarian consequences, with reports of thousands of residents fleeing Tehran due to warnings of further attacks. The UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, highlighted the serious concerns about populated areas being hit in the escalation. “It is imperative that both sides fully respect international law, in particular by ensuring the protection of civilians in densely populated areas and of civilian objects,” she said during a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Targeting of Nuclear Facilities
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that two Iranian centrifuge production facilities, the TESA Karaj workshop and the Tehran Research Centre, suffered major damage after being targeted by Israeli strikes. The IAEA’s update detailed the destruction of buildings where advanced centrifuge rotors and components were manufactured and tested. Iran’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Ali Bahreini, condemned the strikes, calling them a “war against humanity” and warning of potential hazardous leaks from the damaged nuclear facilities.
The UN’s call for de-escalation underscores the urgent need for diplomatic solutions to prevent further loss of life and regional instability.