United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark warning and outlined urgent next steps following the United States’ missile strikes on three major nuclear sites in Iran.
The strikes—ordered by President Donald Trump—targeted Iran’s key nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. In a televised national address, the president declared the mission a “spectacular military success,” stating:
“Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror.”
While the full extent of the damage remains unclear—along with whether there have been any casualties—Iranian officials have confirmed the attacks but insist the nuclear facilities suffered only minimal impact.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, swiftly condemned the strikes, calling them a “grave violation” of international law, the UN Charter, and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). He further warned, “Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.”
Reacting to the escalation, Secretary-General Guterres described the U.S. action as deeply alarming.
“I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today,” he said. “This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.”
Guterres emphasized the critical need for all parties to immediately de-escalate and return to diplomatic dialogue. He urged members of the UN Security Council to convene without delay and called on both nations to avoid further military engagement, warning that failure to do so could lead to catastrophic consequences for the Middle East and beyond.
The UN chief has detailed what must happen next (LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)
“There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world. I call on Member States to de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under the @UN Charter and other rules of international law.
“At this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace.”
Iran has been accused of attempting to develop a nuclear warhead by mining large quantities of uranium before enriching it.
Israel subsequently conducted strikes in Tehran, the Iranian capital, an effort that had not involved US involvement up until now.
In retaliation, Iran has fired back its own missiles, hence the situation we are in now.
