UN Chief Calls for Ceasefire as Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates
New York — UN Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a fresh and urgent call for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Iran, warning that continued escalation could destabilize the entire Middle East.
“I remain profoundly alarmed by the ongoing military escalation between Israel and Iran,” Guterres said in a written statement released Wednesday. “I reiterate my call for immediate de-escalation leading to a ceasefire.”
Fighting intensified last Friday when Israel launched coordinated strikes on nuclear and military facilities inside Iran. Tehran responded with missile attacks targeting Israeli cities. According to media tallies, the conflict has killed more than 250 people across both countries and injured many more.
The UN chief cautioned that any further expansion of the conflict could result in “enormous consequences, not only for those involved but for the entire region and for international peace and security.”
He condemned the destruction of civilian homes and vital infrastructure, calling the loss of life “tragic and unnecessary.”
Nuclear Facilities Targeted
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that two Iranian facilities central to its nuclear program were hit in Wednesday’s strikes. One was the TESA Karaj workshop, the other the Tehran Research Center. Both were under IAEA oversight as part of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
The agency reported that a building used to manufacture and test advanced centrifuge rotors was destroyed at the Tehran site. Two buildings at Karaj, where centrifuge parts were produced, were also flattened.
The IAEA recently passed a resolution accusing Iran of failing to meet its obligations under the non-proliferation treaty. The resolution cited Iran’s lack of cooperation with investigations into undeclared nuclear material at multiple sites.
Diplomacy Over War
As regional tensions rise, Guterres emphasized that diplomatic solutions are the only path to lasting peace.
“Diplomacy remains the best and only way to address concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program and broader regional security,” he said.
Guterres urged all countries to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and follow international law, including humanitarian law. “The Charter remains our shared framework to save people from the scourge of war,” he said.
No official ceasefire efforts have been confirmed, and both nations appear prepared for further conflict. The UN continues to monitor the situation closely as concern grows over wider regional fallout.
