New Delhi: UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday warned that the ongoing conflict in West Asia, now in its second month, is becoming increasingly dangerous and risks escalating into a wider war with “potentially devastating consequences”, UN News reported.
Speaking to reporters outside the Security Council, Guterres described the situation as rapidly deteriorating. “Every day this war continues, human suffering grows. The scale of devastation grows. Indiscriminate attacks grow,” he said, highlighting the rising toll on civilians and infrastructure, along with growing pressure on the global economy, particularly in energy-importing nations.
The UN chief cautioned that the impact of the conflict is spreading beyond the region, disrupting global shipping routes, says the UN News report. “When the Strait of Hormuz is strangled, the world’s poorest and most vulnerable cannot breathe,” he said, pointing to rising food and energy prices in countries such as the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Mozambique.
Guterres also announced that his personal envoy, Jean Arnault, will travel to the region to support diplomatic efforts. “The spiral of death and destruction must stop,” he said, urging that peace initiatives be given a genuine chance.
He stressed that any resolution must adhere to international law and the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty, peaceful dispute resolution, and protection of civilians and nuclear facilities.
In a direct appeal, Guterres said, “To the United States and Israel, it is high time to stop the war that is inflicting immense human suffering and already triggering devastating economic consequences.” He added that Iran must halt its attacks on neighbouring countries.
“Conflicts do not end on their own. They end when leaders choose dialogue over destruction. That choice still exists. And it must be made – now,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jassim Albudaiwi, representing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), told diplomats that Iran had targeted critical civilian infrastructure, including airports, oil installations, residential zones and diplomatic sites, the UN News reported. “The GCC strongly condemns these blatant Iranian attacks, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of GCC States”, he said.
“GCC States do not seek war. They seek the peace, security and stability that all peoples deserve,” he added.