United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warned on Sunday (Jun 23) against yet “another cycle of destruction” and retaliation following the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which he said marked a “perilous turn” in the region.
“I have repeatedly condemned any military escalation in the Middle East,” the secretary-general told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
“The people of the region cannot endure another cycle of destruction. And yet, we now risk descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation.”
Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also called for restraint as he voiced fears over “potential widening” of the conflict.
“We have a window of opportunity to return to dialogue and diplomacy. If that window closes, violence and destruction could reach unthinkable levels and the global non-proliferation regime as we know it could crumble and fall,” Grossi said.
Speaking to the Security Council by video link, he said there were visible craters at Iran’s key Fordow nuclear facility, “indicating the use by the United States of America of ground-penetrating munitions”.
But Grossi noted that no one had been able to assess the underground damage at Fordow.
He added that “armed attacks on nuclear facilities should never take place and could result in radioactive releases with grave consequences within and beyond the boundaries of the State which has been attacked”.
On Sunday, Russia, China and Pakistan circulated a draft resolution with other council members that calls for an “immediate ceasefire” in Iran.
The text, seen by AFP, also “condemns in the strongest terms the attacks against peaceful nuclear sites and facilities.”
But the council is very much divided, with other members such as France and Britain instead calling for Iran to exercise restraint.
Israel’s UN ambassador, meanwhile, rejected the proposed resolution.
“The US and Israel do not deserve any condemnation, but rather an expression of appreciation and gratitude for making the world a safer place,” Danny Danon said.
Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s envoy to the UN, slammed the US for having “once again resorted to illegal force”.
Washington, he said, has “waged a war against my country, under a fabricated and absurd pretext: Preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons”.
“WORLDWIDE CAUTION”
Separately, the US State Department issued a “worldwide caution” for Americans on Sunday, saying the conflict in the Middle East could put those traveling or living abroad at an increased security risk.
“The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East. There is the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad,” its security alert said.
“The Department of State advises US citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution.”
The statement made no mention of the US intervening in the conflict overnight when American planes bombed nuclear facilities in Iran, a move that Tehran said would have “irreparable consequences”.
Washington on Saturday began evacuation flights from Israel for American citizens and permanent US residents living in Israel or the West Bank.
It also ordered staff at its diplomatic missions in Iraq and Lebanon to leave those countries.
Source: AFP/sn