ISLAMABAD:The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has sounded a dire warning following the United States’ recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling for an immediate ceasefire and return to diplomacy.
Speaking at an emergency session of the UN Security Council, Guterres said the region is on the brink of another devastating conflict and stressed that peace must not be abandoned.
“The people of the region cannot endure another cycle of destruction,” he said.
“We are now dangerously close to a rathole of retaliation after retaliation.”
Call for Immediate Ceasefire and Negotiations
Guterres described the bombing of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure as a “perilous turn” and emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation.
He reiterated his longstanding opposition to military escalation in the Middle East.
In a unified stance, Russia, China, and Pakistan have introduced a draft resolution at the Security Council, urging for an unconditional and immediate ceasefire.
While the resolution is yet to be voted on, the diplomatic push underscores the gravity of the moment.
Guterres emphasized that maritime safety and civilian protection must be prioritized above all.
“We must act – immediately and decisively – to halt the fighting and return to serious, sustained negotiations on the Iran nuclear programme,” he urged.
Nuclear Safety and the Role of Diplomacy
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, expressed concern over the inability to assess the extent of damage caused to Iran’s Fordow facility.
He warned that any attack on nuclear sites could lead to severe radioactive consequences across borders.
Guterres stressed the importance of restoring trust through a verifiable solution that includes full access for IAEA inspectors.
Highlighting the Non-Proliferation Treaty as vital to global stability, he said Iran must honor its commitments.
“All Member States must uphold their obligations under the UN Charter and international law,” he added.
In closing, Guterres reminded the Council that peace is a choice, not an imposition.
“We face a stark choice between a wider war and renewed diplomacy. We know which path is right.”
He urged world leaders to act with “reason, restraint, and urgency.”
