By The Sampadak Express
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities represent a “perilous turn” in the already volatile Middle East. Speaking at an emergency session of the UN Security Council convened on Sunday, Guterres urged immediate international action to prevent further escalation and promote diplomatic engagement.
The urgent meeting of the 15-member Council followed US President Donald Trump’s announcement that American forces had targeted three key nuclear sites in Iran Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan in response to rising regional tensions.“
The bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States marks a perilous turn in a region that is already reeling,” Guterres stated. “From the outset of this crisis, I have repeatedly condemned any military escalation in the Middle East.”
Guterres emphasized that the people of the region “cannot endure another cycle of destruction” and warned of a potential “rathole of retaliation” if restraint is not exercised.
Calling for a swift return to diplomacy, the UN chief appealed to all member states to act with “reason, restraint, and urgency.” He underscored the need for Iran to fully comply with the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and warned of a stark global choice: one between war and the rule of law.
Nuclear Safety Concerns Raised by IAEA
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told the Council that while the strikes had not yet caused any radiological leaks, the threat remains serious. “The attacks have significantly degraded nuclear safety and security in Iran,” Grossi said, adding that Fordo Iran’s primary facility for enriching uranium to 60% had not sustained visible damage so far.
Grossi cautioned that military actions involving nuclear facilities could have “grave consequences beyond national borders” and reiterated his call for maximum restraint. He warned that further military escalation could derail crucial diplomatic efforts to ensure Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon.
US Calls Out Iran’s Actions
Representing the United States, Acting Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea defended the strikes, urging the Security Council to focus on Iran’s longstanding behavior.“
The Council must hold the Iranian regime accountable for its 47-year campaign to destroy Israel, its pursuit of nuclear weapons, and its attacks on American citizens and interests,” Shea said. She called on Iran to engage in “genuine negotiations for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.”
As tensions in the Middle East continue to rise, the UN leadership’s firm message is clear: without urgent diplomatic intervention, the risk of a full-scale regional conflict looms dangerously close.
