UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a fresh appeal on Friday urging all parties involved to halt the dangerous cycle of retaliation in the Middle East, following reports of alleged Israeli strikes inside Iran near a nuclear power station.
In a statement released by his Office, Guterres condemned any acts of retaliation and called on the international community to collaborate in preventing further developments that could have devastating consequences for the entire region and beyond.
Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed through a tweet that there was no damage to Iran’s nuclear sites, as Director-General Grossi reiterated his call for extreme restraint, emphasizing that nuclear facilities should never be targets in military conflicts.
In Geneva, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) echoed the calls for de-escalation, urging all parties to take immediate steps to defuse the situation. OHCHR spokesperson Jeremy Laurence urged third-party states, particularly those with influence, to exert their power to prevent further deterioration in the already precarious situation.
UN atomic energy agency chief Rafael Grossi also emphasized the need for extreme restraint from all sides, particularly in the wake of more than six and a half months of conflict in Gaza, which has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict.
