UN chief warns of "rathole of retaliation" after U.S. strikes on Iran

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (C, front) speaks at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York, June 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, June 22 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday warned of "a rathole of retaliation" in the wake of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

The U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities marks a perilous turn in a region that is already reeling, Guterres told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

"From the outset of the (Israeli-Iranian) crisis, I have repeatedly condemned any military escalation in the Middle East. The people of the region cannot endure another cycle of destruction. And yet, we now risk descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation," he warned.

To avoid further escalation, diplomacy must prevail, civilians must be protected, and safe maritime navigation must be guaranteed, Guterres said.

"We must act -- immediately and decisively -- to halt the fighting and return to serious, sustained negotiations on the Iran nuclear program," he urged.

Guterres called for a credible, comprehensive and verifiable solution to restore trust, including inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog.

He stressed that the Non-Proliferation Treaty is a cornerstone of international peace and security, adding that Iran must fully respect it.

All member states, he said, must act in accordance with their obligations under the UN Charter and other rules of international law, including international humanitarian law.

"The United Nations stands ready to support any and all efforts toward a peaceful resolution. But peace cannot be imposed, it must be chosen," said Guterres.

"We face a stark choice. One path leads to wider war, deeper human suffering, and serious damage to the international order. The other leads to de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue. We know which path is right."

He also urged the Security Council and all UN member states to act with reason, restraint and urgency for peace. ■