UN chief urges end to Iran conflict, warns world on edge of wider war

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called on the United States, Israel and Iran to stop attacks and warned of the risks of a wider war.

At a press conference on the Middle East situation, Guterres said his message is clear.

"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 said. "To Iran, to stop attacking their neighbors."

Noting that the Middle East crisis has lurched into its second month, he highlighted its consequences. "Every day this war continues, human suffering grows. The scale of devastation grows. Indiscriminate attacks grow. The targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure grows. And the perils to our world grow."

"We are on the edge of a wider war that would engulf the whole Middle East with dramatic impacts around the globe," Guterres warned.

He noted the conflict's impact on the denial of freedom of navigation. "When the Strait of Hormuz is strangled, the world's poorest and most vulnerable cannot breathe."

Guterres said diplomatic efforts deserve the space and support to succeed, anchored firmly in international law, including the UN Charter.

Disputes must be settled peacefully, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all UN member states must be respected, civilians and civilian infrastructure, including nuclear installations, must be respected and protected, and freedom of navigation must be upheld, he said, noting that he has dispatched his personal envoy Jean Arnault to the region to support these efforts.

"We must find a peaceful way out," he said.