UN Chief Warns as US-Iran War Escalates
Guterres urges Washington and Tehran to return to diplomacy amid rising civilian casualties
By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Wednesday told reporters in New York that the fighting between the US and Iran has sharply escalated after a month-long gap, the two sides exchanged airstrikes as fears grow over further civilian casualties.
US military struck rocket launchers on an island in the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, days after US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had cleared all mines from the crucial trade route, Dujarric stated.
US said the weekend strikes were aimed at preventing Iran from laying new mines, he told reporters.
Media reported that Iranian missiles launched towards Jordan in retaliation were intercepted, the US struck targets it claims were linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
According to Iranian authorities, US strikes hit a wedding party in Kuhestak on Wednesday, killed at least 4 and injured 68 more.
The US military said it is investigating the incident and that it never targets civilians.
The latest exchange marks a major escalation in the conflict that began in February, when the US and Israel launched military operations against Iran.
UN head Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern over the escalation and reported rise in civilian casualties, including at the wedding party.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said “The Secretary-General condemns all attacks against civilians”.
“He recalls that all parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions,” he said.
Mr. Guterres strongly encouraged the US and Iran to return to diplomacy to avoid the “devastating consequences” further escalation would have on civilians across the Middle East, spokesman added.
