The United Nations Security Council is set for an emergency session following Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ denouncement of the escalating military actions in the Middle East. Guterres expressed concern over the US-Israel use of force against Iran and Tehran’s subsequent retaliatory actions, emphasizing the threat posed to international peace and security. France’s President Emmanuel Macron echoed these sentiments, highlighting the serious implications of the US-Israel attack and calling for urgent Council intervention.
Two officials from UN agencies, including UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Turk and World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, also voiced alarm at the unfolding events in the region. They joined Guterres in urging an immediate halt to the conflict and a return to negotiations to prevent further escalation. The recent military strikes by Israel and the US, followed by Iran’s retaliatory measures, have raised concerns about the potential for a broader regional conflict with severe consequences for civilians and stability.
The situation in the Middle East escalated after the US-Israel attack, which came in the wake of unsuccessful negotiations between the US and Iran mediated by Oman. President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the talks, particularly regarding Iran’s uranium enrichment activities. Oman’s Foreign Minister, who facilitated the negotiations, lamented the breakdown of discussions and urged the US to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation. Trump’s call for regime change in Iran following the military actions has heightened tensions in the region, with Iran responding with missile strikes on various targets across the Middle East.
In a letter to the UN Security Council, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted that all facilities of hostile forces in the region are legitimate military targets within Iran’s self-defense framework. Secretary-General Guterres emphasized the importance of upholding international law and the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force that threatens the sovereignty or independence of any state. The need for all parties to abide by these principles and engage in dialogue to defuse tensions was underscored by Guterres to prevent further destabilization in the region.
