The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has called on the United States and Israel to halt ongoing hostilities with Iran, warning that the conflict risks spiralling out of control with severe humanitarian and economic consequences.
Speaking at a European Union summit in Brussels, Guterres urged an immediate de-escalation, stressing that continued fighting could have “tragic consequences” for civilians and disrupt the global economy. He also called on Iran to refrain from attacking neighbouring countries, noting that they were not direct parties to the conflict.
The war, which reportedly began on February 28, has escalated into a wider regional confrontation involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, with sustained military exchanges and mounting casualties.
Recent developments include reported Israeli strikes on Iran’s South Pars gas field—one of the world’s largest—while Iran is said to have retaliated with missile attacks targeting energy infrastructure in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Donald Trump has warned of further escalation if Iranian attacks persist, underscoring Washington’s firm stance amid the intensifying crisis.
Casualty figures have continued to rise, with reports indicating that over 1,400 people have been killed in Iran, including senior officials, while thousands have been injured across affected regions.
The conflict has also expanded beyond Iran’s borders, with fighting reported in Lebanon involving Hezbollah, raising fears of a broader regional war.
Global economic concerns have intensified as disruptions to energy supplies, particularly linked to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, threaten international oil markets and trade flows.
