UN chief warns of cycle of retaliation after US bombs Iran
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UN chief warns of cycle of retaliation after US bombs Iran
Agence France-Presse
Published Jun 23, 2025 11:52 AM PHT

Protesters hold Iranian flags and signs as they rally during a "No War on Iran" demonstration outside the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles on June 18, 2025. Photo by Apu Gomes/AFP

UNITED NATIONS, United States — United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warned Sunday against yet "another cycle of destruction" and retaliation following the US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, which he said marked a "perilous turn" in the region.
UNITED NATIONS, United States — United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warned Sunday against yet "another cycle of destruction" and retaliation following the US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, which he said marked a "perilous turn" in the region.
"I have repeatedly condemned any military escalation in the Middle East," the secretary-general told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
"I have repeatedly condemned any military escalation in the Middle East," the secretary-general told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
"The people of the region cannot endure another cycle of destruction. And yet, we now risk descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation."
"The people of the region cannot endure another cycle of destruction. And yet, we now risk descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation."
Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also called for restraint as he voiced fears over "potential widening" of the conflict.
Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also called for restraint as he voiced fears over "potential widening" of the conflict.
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"We have a window of opportunity to return to dialogue and diplomacy. If that window closes, violence and destruction could reach unthinkable levels and the global non-proliferation regime as we know it could crumble and fall," Grossi said.
"We have a window of opportunity to return to dialogue and diplomacy. If that window closes, violence and destruction could reach unthinkable levels and the global non-proliferation regime as we know it could crumble and fall," Grossi said.
Speaking to the Security Council by video link, he said there were visible craters at Iran's key Fordo nuclear facility, "indicating the use by the United States of America of ground-penetrating munitions."
Speaking to the Security Council by video link, he said there were visible craters at Iran's key Fordo nuclear facility, "indicating the use by the United States of America of ground-penetrating munitions."
But Grossi noted that no one had been able to assess the underground damage at Fordo.
But Grossi noted that no one had been able to assess the underground damage at Fordo.
He added that "armed attacks on nuclear facilities should never take place and could result in radioactive releases with grave consequences within and beyond the boundaries of the State which has been attacked."
He added that "armed attacks on nuclear facilities should never take place and could result in radioactive releases with grave consequences within and beyond the boundaries of the State which has been attacked."
DRAFT RESOLUTION
On Sunday, Russia, China and Pakistan circulated a draft resolution with other Security Council members that calls for an "immediate ceasefire" in Iran.
On Sunday, Russia, China and Pakistan circulated a draft resolution with other Security Council members that calls for an "immediate ceasefire" in Iran.
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The text, seen by AFP, also "condemns in the strongest terms the attacks against peaceful nuclear sites and facilities."
The text, seen by AFP, also "condemns in the strongest terms the attacks against peaceful nuclear sites and facilities."
But the Council is very much divided, with other members such as France and Britain instead calling for Iran to exercise restraint.
But the Council is very much divided, with other members such as France and Britain instead calling for Iran to exercise restraint.
Israel's UN ambassador, meanwhile, rejected the proposed resolution.
Israel's UN ambassador, meanwhile, rejected the proposed resolution.
"The US and Israel do not deserve any condemnation, but rather an expression of appreciation and gratitude for making the world a safer place," Danny Danon said.
"The US and Israel do not deserve any condemnation, but rather an expression of appreciation and gratitude for making the world a safer place," Danny Danon said.
Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's envoy to the UN, slammed the United States for having "once again resorted to illegal force."
Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's envoy to the UN, slammed the United States for having "once again resorted to illegal force."
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Washington, he said, has "waged a war against my country, under a fabricated and absurd pretext: preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons."
Washington, he said, has "waged a war against my country, under a fabricated and absurd pretext: preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons."
© Agence France-Presse
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