Iran Israel Crisis: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned Iran's missile attack on Israel and expressed grave concern over the deteriorating situation in the Middle East. Guterres made his remarks at a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East on Wednesday (September 2).
Condemning Iran, Guterres said, 'The fire in the Middle East is becoming frightening. Just a week ago, I briefed the Security Council on the grave situation in Lebanon. Since then the situation is continuously getting worse. “As I said at the conference last week, there have been tensions along the Blue Line for years, but in October the range, depth and intensity of the firing increased.”
spoke of Lebanon's sovereignty and dignity
The UN Secretary-General said, 'I have stressed before that Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected and the Lebanese state must also maintain full arms control throughout Lebanon. The situation in the Middle East is witnessing a dramatic escalation. More dramatically, I wonder what happened to the framework established by the Council with resolution 1701?'
Iran's attack will not ease Palestine's suffering
Speaking about Iran's missile attack on Israel, the UN Secretary General said, 'What I said about the Iranian attack in April 2024, I am saying the same thing now. I once again condemn the major missile attack by Iran on Israel. This attack does nothing to ease the suffering of the suffering Palestinian people.
Appeal for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
Talking about the ongoing attack in Gaza, Guterres said, 'It has been a year since the attack on Israel by Hamas. After this, Israeli action caused unimaginable suffering to the Palestinian people in Gaza. Now the time has come for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Hamas should also be granted the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
ban on antonio guterres
Also, on the other hand, on Tuesday (October 2), Israel has banned the entry of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres into Israel. Israel's Foreign Minister Katz said that the country has declared UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres persona non grata (a person who no longer receives any respect or welcome) and has also banned his entry into Israel. Anyone who cannot condemn Iran's attacks on Israel has no right to enter Israel, Katz said. Guterres has yet to condemn the massacre and sexual atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7.