UN Chief urges parties to 'give peace a chance' on Iran-Israel war
Published on: June 21, 2025 07:00 (EAT)
In this file photo taken on January 18, 2023 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses a session of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos. Guterres warned nations on February 6, 2023 that he fears the likelihood of further escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict means the world is heading towards a "wider war."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pleaded Friday with all sides to "give peace a chance" in the Iran-Israel conflict, warning that the violence could spiral out of control.
"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," Guterres said, in a veiled reference to the United States, which is considering intervening militarily to support Israel.
Addressing a Security Council session on the war, Guterres said: "We are not drifting toward crisis -- we are racing toward it."
"We are not witnessing isolated incidents -- we are on course to potential chaos," he said.
"The expansion of this conflict could ignite a fire that no one can control. We must not let that happen."
