The Secretary-General described the ground situation as “very fluid”.
About 20 cities across Iran – including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Shahriar and Tabriz – have reportedly been attacked, he said, while in Tehran, large explosions were reported in the district that includes the presidential palace.
Several high-ranking officials have reportedly been killed, including – according to Israeli sources – Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
According to Iranian media, an air strike killed at least 85 people, with military action expanding rapidly across the region.
According to Israeli sources, he said people have been injured in Iran’s subsequent strikes on Israel, with impacts felt in the occupied West Bank. Iran also has announced that, in reaction to the United States and Israeli airstrikes, it targeted US military assets in the region.
Indirect impact of falling debris was reported in Lebanon and Syria.
Most Gulf States intercepted the Iranian strikes, however the United Arab Emirates reported that one civilian was killed by debris.
Diplomacy ‘squandered’
He noted that the US and Israeli attacks occurred following the third round of indirect talks between the US and Iran mediated by Oman.
“I deeply regret that this opportunity of diplomacy has been squandered,” he said. “The region and the world need a way out now.”
He called for de=-escalation and the immediate cessation of hostilities.
He strongly urged all parties to retu4rn immediately to the negotiating table, notably on the Iran nuclear programme.
Secretary-General warns of ‘grave threat’, following Iran strikes
Addressing the Council, Secretary-General António Guterres, focused his remarks on principles, facts and “the way out”.
Quoting from the UN Charter, he said: “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.”
International law and international humanitarian law must always be respected, he stressed.
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This is why he condemned the massive military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran – and the subsequent attacks by Iran, violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
“We are witnessing a grave threat to international peace and security,” he warned.
“Let me be clear: There is no viable alternative to the peace settlement of international disputes.”
