Guterres condemns Iran’s attack and fears a “devastating” escalation

Madrid. The Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, has condemned the “serious escalation” represented by the “large-scale” attack launched by Iran against Israel and has been “deeply alarmed” by the “very real” risk that there is a “devastating” rise in tensions across the region.

For this reason, Guterres has called for the “immediate” cessation of hostilities and has appealed for “maximum restraint” by “all parties”, to “avoid any action that could lead to a major military confrontation on multiple fronts in the Middle East.” .

“I have repeatedly stressed that neither the region nor the world can afford another war,” he said in a statement.

Shortly before this message, the Israeli ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, had reproached Guterres for not having spoken out. “Where is your voice? Where is your condemnation? Wake up!” Erdan demanded on social networks, who in recent months has even called for the resignation of the head of the United Nations.

UN Security Council to meet on Sunday

The UN Security Council will meet urgently on Sunday at the request of Israel, a day after Iran launched more than 200 drones and missiles against it in response to an attack on its consulate in Damascus, the organization’s presidency announced. .

“We plan to organize the meeting tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.” (8:00 p.m. GMT), a spokesperson for the Maltese diplomatic mission, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council in April, told the press this Saturday.

In a letter sent to that body, the Israeli ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, called for an “immediate meeting to unequivocally condemn Iran for this serious violation” and asked the Council “to act to designate the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization.” , the Iranian ideological army.

“It is time for the Security Council to take concrete measures against the Iranian threat,” he added, expressing his “outrage” at an attack of “unprecedented” magnitude that represents “a serious and dangerous escalation.”