UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remains deeply concerned over the continuing and expanding military escalation between the United States and Iran, his spokesman said at a press conference at the UN headquarters on Tuesday.
Guterres is particularly concerned about attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran, including a nuclear power plant under construction and a desalination plant, and also across the region, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman.
The crisis has already affected Iran, Bahrain, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, placing pressure on trade systems, humanitarian access, transport costs, and the prices of fuel and basic commodities in those countries and beyond, he noted.
Vital infrastructure on which civilians rely for survival, including hospitals and water supplies, must be spared. All parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution, said the spokesman.
"The Secretary-General reiterates once again that there is no military solution to this conflict and he calls for intensifying diplomatic efforts towards a peaceful and durable settlement," said Dujarric.
