UN Chief Denounces Middle East Escalation

(MENAFN) United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a sweeping condemnation Saturday of the rapidly intensifying military confrontation gripping the Middle East, warning that offensive actions by both Washington and Tel Aviv against Tehran — and Iran's retaliatory strikes across the region — pose a direct threat to global peace and security.

Invoking the foundational principles of international law, Guterres reminded all member states of their binding legal obligations, citing the UN Charter's explicit prohibition on the use of force against sovereign nations.

"All Member States must respect their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the United Nations," which clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations," Guterres said in a statement.

The UN chief issued an urgent appeal for an immediate halt to hostilities and a swift return to diplomatic channels, cautioning that continued escalation risks triggering a far broader regional conflict — one that could exact a devastating toll on civilian populations and fracture what remains of regional stability.

"I strongly encourage all parties to return immediately to the negotiating table," he said.

Reaffirming the centrality of the UN Charter as the cornerstone of international peace and order, Guterres stressed that the peaceful resolution of disputes through lawful means is not merely preferable — it is the only path forward, and that no credible substitute exists.

The statement positions the United Nations firmly against all parties involved, reflecting the organization's deepest alarm over a conflict that shows no signs of abating.

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