Today, Saturday, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, expressed his deep regret over what he considered “the loss of the opportunity for diplomatic solutions” with regard to Iran, in light of the escalation of international concern regarding this issue. He warned of the dangerous repercussions that might result from any military escalation on international peace and security.
Guterres’s statements came during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, held at the request of Bahrain and France, to discuss the rapid developments in the region.
In his speech before the 15-member Council, the Secretary-General explained that he was not in a position to confirm Israeli reports regarding the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, referring to the circulating news about his killing in recent attacks.
Guterres had previously denounced this military escalation, calling for an “immediate cessation of hostilities,” stressing that the use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent Iranian reactions in various regions, threatens international peace and security.
He also warned of the danger of expanding the scope of the regional conflict, warning of the “serious consequences that this could have on civilians and regional stability.”
These positions come in the midst of an unprecedented escalation between multiple parties in the region, which places the international community before a difficult test to revive the diplomatic track and avoid the situation sliding towards a broader confrontation.
