United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on both Iran and Israel to immediately halt hostilities and prioritize diplomacy amid rising tensions between the two nations. His appeal comes following a dramatic escalation involving Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Tehran’s retaliatory missile attacks on Tel Aviv.
Taking to the social media platform X on Saturday, Guterres voiced deep concern over the rapidly unfolding situation in the Middle East. “The time has come to stop everything,” he stated. “There should be no more tension after Tehran’s missile attacks on Tel Aviv. Peace and diplomacy must prevail.”
The secretary-general’s statement followed Iran’s launch of a wave of ballistic missiles aimed at Israeli targets, which Tehran described as a response to a direct assault on its nuclear infrastructure. The exchange represents one of the most intense confrontations in years between the two longtime adversaries, sparking fears of a broader regional war.
Guterres urged both parties to step back from further violence and instead return to diplomatic dialogue. He warned that any continued escalation could lead to “devastating consequences not only for the region but for global peace and security.”
The international community has expressed growing concern, with global leaders urging restraint and advocating for renewed negotiations to avoid deepening the conflict. The UN chief reiterated the importance of maintaining open channels for communication and resolving disputes through peaceful means.
His call underscores the urgency of preventing further escalation and highlights the critical role of diplomacy in diffusing what could otherwise become a major international crisis.
