UN chief: Ready to support a peaceful solution to the conflict with Iran

2025-06-22 22:29:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

UN Chief Antonio Guterres shared his message regarding the situation in the Israel-Iran conflict.

In his speech this Sunday, at the emergency UN meeting in New York, Guterres stressed his readiness to support a peaceful solution to the conflict.

The full speech of UN chief Antonio Guterres:

I would like to make a brief introduction and then my two colleagues will brief the Council.

Excellency,

Two days ago, in this hall, I made a direct appeal: Give peace a chance. This appeal was not heeded.

Instead, the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States marks a dangerous turn in a region that is already reeling.

Since the beginning of the crisis, I have consistently condemned any military escalation in the Middle East.

The people of the region cannot endure another cycle of destruction.

And yet, now we risk falling into a pit of revenge after revenge.

To avoid this, diplomacy must prevail. Civilians must be protected. Safe maritime navigation must be guaranteed.

We must act - immediately and decisively - to stop the fighting and return to serious and sustainable negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.

We need a credible, comprehensive and verifiable solution - a solution that restores trust - including full access to IAEA inspectors, as the United Nations' technical authority in this area.

The Non-Proliferation Treaty is a cornerstone of international peace and security.

Iran must fully respect it.

And all Member States 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 effort towards a peaceful solution. But peace cannot be imposed - it must be won.

We face a difficult 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 the right one.

I call on this Council - and all Member States - to act with reason, restraint and urgency.

We cannot - and must not - give up on peace. /CNA