UN Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a grave warning over the escalating violence between Iran and Israel, describing the conflict as “a fire no one can control” and cautioning that it could spiral into a global catastrophe.
Speaking at an emergency UN Security Council session on Friday, Guterres emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation, stating, “We are not drifting toward crisis, we are racing toward it… This is a moment that could shape the fate of nations.”
The conflict, now spilling into the wider region, has seen missile attacks from Yemen’s Houthi forces targeting Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, while armed groups in Iraq are reportedly mobilizing.
Israel’s military campaign has intensified, with over 100 airstrikes hitting targets across Iran, including sensitive military and nuclear sites such as Natanz, Isfahan, and the Khondab heavy water reactor. Iranian officials report at least 224 civilian deaths—potentially double that number—and more than 2,500 injured. Tehran and other major cities are experiencing widespread panic, fuel shortages, and mass displacements.
In retaliation, Iran launched missile attacks on Israeli cities including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Beersheba. Civilian infrastructure such as the Soroka Medical Center and the Weizmann Institute have sustained damage. Israeli authorities confirm 24 deaths and over 900 injuries.
Guterres reiterated his call for diplomacy and urged Iran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warning that continued escalation could lead to uncontrollable consequences for global peace and security.
