GENEVA, Switzerland – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning over the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, urging all involved parties to “give peace a chance” before the situation descends into uncontrollable chaos.
Speaking during a special session of the UN Security Council on Friday, Guterres cautioned that the region is on the brink of a wider war that could engulf not just the Middle East, but potentially pull in global powers.
“We are not drifting toward crisis — we are racing toward it,” he said, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
While Guterres did not name specific countries, his call appeared to target both Iran and Israel, as well as the United States, which has been considering military intervention to support Israel.
“To the parties to the conflict — the potential parties to the conflict — and to the Security Council as the representative of the international community, I have a simple and clear message: Give peace a chance,” he urged.
The Secretary-General added that the current violence is not a series of isolated incidents, but signs of a deeper unraveling with far-reaching consequences.
“We are not witnessing isolated incidents — we are on course to potential chaos. The expansion of this conflict could ignite a fire that no one can control. We must not let that happen.”
Tensions between Iran and Israel have intensified in recent months, with fears mounting that proxy conflicts and direct military strikes could spark a broader regional war.
Global powers, including members of the Security Council, remain deeply divided on how to respond.
The Security Council meeting comes amid growing international pressure for de-escalation and diplomacy, as civilians across the region bear the brunt of the hostilities.
