UNITED NATIONS: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the Security Council on Sunday, urging the international community to avoid deeper conflict following Iran’s weekend attack on Israel. Guterres emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation in the Middle East, warning that neither the region nor the world can afford more war.
He highlighted the real danger facing the region, cautioning that the people of the region are confronting a significant risk of a devastating full-scale conflict. Guterres called for maximum restraint from all parties involved to defuse tensions and prevent further escalation.
Iran’s direct attack on Israel involved launching over 300 missiles and drones, marking a significant escalation between the two countries. Most of these projectiles were intercepted by Israel, with support from the United States, Jordan, and Britain. The Israeli army reported twelve injuries resulting from the attack. The recent exchange of attacks stemmed from an April 1 airstrike on Tehran’s consulate building in Damascus, which Iran attributed to Israel.
Guterres emphasized the critical need to step back from the brink to prevent major military confrontations in the Middle East. The rising tensions add to existing conflicts, including Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza, and attacks by Iran-backed groups across multiple fronts. Guterres reiterated the urgent need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza to prevent a worsening crisis, including the risk of famine. He condemned both Iran’s strikes on Israel and the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, underscoring the vital importance of avoiding actions that could lead to broader military conflicts in the region.
