UNSG condemns Iran attack on Israel, calls for immediate end to hostilities

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 14th April. UN chief António Guterres on Saturday strongly condemned the Iran’s attack on Israel and has urged maximum restraint by all parties and warned that “neither the region nor the world can afford another war.”

SG issued a statement in New York said “I call for an immediate cessation of these hostilities,” shortly after what media reports suggest had been hundreds of drones and missiles launched by Iran at Israel.

Guterres said that he is deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation.

“I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East,” said the Secretary-General, and added: “I have repeatedly stressed that neither the region nor the world can afford another war.”

UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting for 4pm Sunday to discuss this latest flare-up in the region.

President of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, also expressed deep concern about the unfolding situation in the Middle East, “involving the launch by Iran of drones and missiles against Israel.”

Mr. Francis noted that Iran had explained its action “in the context of article 51 of the UN Charter, following the recent Israeli attack on the Iranian Embassy in Damascus,” in a separate statement.

“The Iranian response compounds the already tense and delicate peace and security situation in the Middle East,” Mr. Francis said.

He strongly called upon all parties to exercise the utmost restraint to avoid further escalation of tension in the region.

“This is a moment that calls for wise and prudent judgement, in which the risks and extended risks are very carefully considered. I expect that the Iranian authorities will honour their word that by their action today, the matter can be deemed concluded.”

He stressed that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way to resolve differences.

Mr. Francis warned: “A vicious cycle of attack and counterattack will lead to nowhere, but inevitably, to more death, suffering and misery.”