Guterres asks Israel and Iran to “stand back” because “the world cannot afford more war”

The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterrescondemned Iran’s launch of projectiles against Israel and the attacks on the Iranian consulate in Damascus and called on both countries to “step back” in escalation because ‘the world cannot afford more war.

“The time has come to take a step back. It is crucial to avoid any action that could provoke a large-scale military confrontation on multiple fronts in the Middle East,” Guterres said during his Middle East speech. UN security council called in response to the Iranian attack.

He also recalled that the 1970 Declaration of Friendly Relations “prohibits the use of force in the country retaliationThe Declaration was adopted by the UN General Assembly, a text aimed at the self-determination of peoples in the midst of the decolonization phase, but which also refers to the fact that “all States must avoid resorting to the threat of use or “use of violence against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State in its international relations.”

The UN chief has also recalled the need for one ceasefire in the Gaza Strip because “civilians are the ones paying the highest price” in these conflicts and has called for the “immediate release of all hostages.” He also cited a “shared responsibility” to stop violence in the occupied West Bank and reduce tension on the Blue Line, which serves as the border between Israel and Lebanon.

‘We have a common responsibility work for peace (…). Neither the region nor the world can afford any more war,” Guterres concluded.

The session was convened at the request of Israel in response to the launch of “more than 200” projectiles against its territory in retaliation for the April 1 bombing. Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, where 16 people died, including senior officials of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. In the Iranian attack on Israel No have been settled dead.

The representative of Iran before the UN, Amir Saed Iravani and his Syrian counterpart Qusay al Dahhak defended Tehran’s attack on Israeli territory before the United Nations Security Council. “Iran’s operation was carried out entirely in exercise of its inherent right of self-defense. This completed action was necessary and proportionate. It was targeted precisely and only against military objectives, and was carefully executed to minimize the possibility of escalation and violence. prevent harm to the civilian population,” Iravani stated during his speech.

The Iranian diplomat thanked the Council countries that condemned the Israeli attack in Damascus while criticizing it United States, France and Great Britain for “turning a blind eye” by not rejecting it and for “trying to manipulate the narrative” after condemning the Iranian attack.

“With hypocritical behavior, these three countries have falsely blamed and accused Iran (…), tried in vain to use lies, manipulate the narrative, spread disinformation and engage in a destructive blame game. At the same time, they deliberately ignored and violated Iran’s inherent right to respond to the violation of a fundamental principle of international law: the inviolability of diplomatic representatives and premises,” he added.

On the other hand, he has emphasized that Tehran has no intention of seeking an escalation of tensions or a war, although he has warned that the country will respond to any Israeli response “when necessary.”

Al Dahhak (Syria), for its part, expressed its support for Iran for the “correct and effective exercise of the legitimate right of self-defense” in response to the “persistence of the Israeli occupation in its crimes” and for the inaction of the Security Council after the veto of the United States, France and Great Britain to condemn the attack on the consulate.

For his part, the ambassador of Israel At the UN, Gilad Erdan said his country reserves the right to retaliate: “This attack crossed all red lines and Israel reserves the legal right to respond. We are not the frog in the boiling water: we are a nation of lions,” he assured.