The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting Friday to address heightened Middle East tensions following Israel's strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities. UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo warned the attacks marked a 'dangerous new escalation,' urging both nations to avoid actions that could spark wider conflict.
DiCarlo revealed the strikes occurred as diplomatic efforts showed promise, including planned US-Iran talks in Oman now suspended. 'A peaceful resolution through negotiations remains the best means to ensure the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program,' she stated, echoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres' call for restraint.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi reported damage to Iran's Natanz nuclear site and attacks near Fordow and Isfahan facilities, raising alarms about nuclear safety. The Security Council session highlighted global concerns over destabilization in a region already grappling with multiple crises.
Diplomatic sources confirmed Iran's withdrawal from weekend talks, casting uncertainty on de-escalation efforts. The Council's rare schedule clearance for this debate underscores the urgency felt by member states to prevent what DiCarlo called 'a growing conflagration with enormous global consequences.'
