UN chief calls on Israel, US and Iran to put an end to war

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Wednesday that the conflict in the Middle East has become “out of control.” He called for an immediate stop to the fighting, urged Iran to cease its attacks on neighboring countries, and requested the US and Israel to end the war. Guterres emphasized that diplomacy is the only solution to the crisis. Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York, he noted that the conflict has gone beyond the worst fears and poses a risk of a global disaster. “Just hours after the war began, I warned that the fighting could lead to a chain reaction that no one could manage. Now, more than three weeks later, this war is out of control,” he stated. “The conflict has surpassed what even leaders believed was possible. The world is facing the threat of a larger war, increasing human suffering, and a significant global economic crisis.” Guterres sent a clear message to Iran, urging it to stop attacking its neighbors. He pointed out that the UN Security Council has condemned these actions and demanded they cease. He also stressed the importance of respecting navigational rights in key maritime routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz. The ongoing closure of the strait is “choking the movement of oil, gas, and fertilizer at a critical time for global planting,” he explained. He further urged the United States and Israel to end the war, as human suffering worsens, civilian deaths rise, and the global economic impact becomes more severe. Declaring that “this has gone too far,” Guterres stated, “It is time to stop escalating the situation and start focusing on diplomacy, returning to full respect for international law.” He mentioned that he has been in continuous contact with regional and global leaders, with several peace initiatives in progress that “must succeed.”