The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has warned that overnight U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites have dangerously heightened the risk of a broader regional war.
Speaking at an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Sunday, Guterres expressed grave concern that the attacks, carried out in support of Israel, inflicted “serious damage to the international order” and could trigger an uncontrollable spiral of violence.
The U.S. strikes targeted three facilities linked to Iran’s uranium enrichment activities, marking a significant escalation after ten days of deadly hostilities between Israel and Iran. Guterres underscored the urgent need for dialogue, declaring, “We now risk descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation.” The Secretary-General urged all parties to step back from the brink and seek peaceful solutions.
Calling for an immediate ceasefire, Guterres emphasized that the Middle East’s civilians must not be made to suffer through another destructive conflict. He also reminded Iran of its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), describing it as vital to global peace. Iran has repeatedly denied accusations from Israel and others that it seeks nuclear weapons, insisting its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
In his address, Guterres said the world faced a defining moment. “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. He appealed to the U.S., Israel, and Iran to choose diplomacy over destruction.
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenča echoed these concerns, calling the situation “a dangerous moment.” He warned that with Iran considering retaliation, the region could spiral into greater instability. Jenča emphasized that “there is no military solution to this conflict” and urged renewed efforts towards negotiations.
The human cost of the violence is mounting. Jenča noted that more than 430 people have been killed in Iran, most of them civilians, while Israeli reports list 25 dead and over 1,300 injured. He also highlighted the growing threat posed by armed groups like Yemen’s Houthis, who could expand the conflict with retaliatory strikes.
Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament has backed measures to block the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, in response to the attacks. Jenča concluded with a warning: “The world will not be spared from the ramifications of this dangerous conflict.” He urged all nations to act in accordance with international law and the UN Charter to avert further escalation.
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