UN chief: Middle East, world cannot ‘afford more war’

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the international community against deeper descent into conflict, addressing the Security Council during a meeting over Iran’s attack.

“Neither the region nor the world can afford more war,” Guterres said. “The Middle East is on the brink. “The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate,” he said, calling for “maximum restraint”.

Late on Saturday, Iran launched a direct attack on Israel, firing a wave of more than 300 missiles and drones.

Nearly all of them were intercepted by Israel and others, including the United States, Jordan and Britain.

According to the Israeli army, 12 people were injured.

Iran said its attack came in response to a deadly April 1 air strike on Tehran’s consulate building in the Syrian capital Damascus.

That attack killed seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards, including two senior generals, and prompted Iranian threats of retaliation.

The unprecedented exchange, marking a major escalation between the two countries, has sparked renewed fears of a broader conflict.

The United States said on Sunday it will not join any Israeli counterattack on Iran, with President Joe Biden warning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “think carefully” about any escalation.

Sunday’s Security Council session on the simmering crisis came at Israel’s request.

Iran’s UN envoy Amir Saeid Iravani said the Islamic republic was exercising its “inherent right to selfdefence”.

“The Security Council ... failed in its duty to maintain international peace and security,” Iravani said.

Therefore, Tehran “had no choice” but to respond, he said, adding that his country does “not seek escalation or war”, but will respond to any “threat or aggression”.

Guterres repeated his call for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in Gaza, which experts warn is on the verge of famine.