UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has emphasized the need to step back from the brink of potential large-scale military confrontations in the Middle East. According to “Al Sharq Al-Awsat”, during a Security Council session about Iran’s attack on Israel, Guterres stressed the urgency of de-escalating tensions and exercising maximum restraint.
Guterres condemned the undermining of regional and global peace and security, stating that the world cannot afford more wars. He highlighted the serious risk of a comprehensive, destructive conflict faced by the peoples of the region and reminded that international law prohibits retaliatory acts involving the use of force.
The escalation mentioned involves the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s recent launch of hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles against Israel. This attack was in retaliation for the deadly assault on its consulate in Damascus, as stated by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, asserting it was an exercise of Iran’s legitimate right to self-defense under the UN Charter.
On the other hand, the Israeli military reported intercepting over 200 Iranian targets, noting that the Iranian missiles caused minor damage to a military base and injured a civilian.
American media, including ABC News citing Israeli Army spokesperson Peter Lerner, reported that the Israeli government is determining an appropriate response to Iran’s recent attack, with a range of options presented to the government, including those that do not involve strikes on Iranian territory.
The events have sparked widespread international concern, with calls for restraint and the adherence to international law to prevent further escalation into a broader conflict. Both incidents are part of a larger pattern of military engagements and proxy conflicts in the region, which include impacts on global maritime security and other geopolitical interests.
