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UN chief warns: Middle East headed for full-scale conflict

Philippines | National

UN chief warns: Middle East headed for full-scale conflict

By Joseph Pedrajas

The Middle East is now "on the brink" of confronting a "full-scale conflict," United Nations General Secretary Antonio Guterres on Monday, April 15, warned after Iran launched a retaliatory attack on Israel.

In a series of post on X, Guterres said that the people in the region are confronting "a real danger" as tension between Israel and Iran, which stemmed from Israel's war on Hamas-sympathizers and Iran-aligned Hezbollah fighters, started to arise.

"Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate. Now is the time for maximum restraint. Now is the time to step back from the brink," Guterres said.

The UN chief said that it is vital to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East.

He made the appeal as he said civilians "are already bearing the brunt and paying the highest price."

"We have to actively engage all parties concerned to prevent further escalation," he added, saying that "the world cannot afford more war."

"We have a shared responsibility to work for peace. Regionalâ€”and indeed globalâ€”peace and security are being undermined by the hour," he said.

On Saturday, April 13, Guterres condemned Iran's drone attack on Israel in a move seen as its retaliation to the airstrike on the Iranian Embassy in Syria.

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MIDDLE EAST ANTONIO GUTERRES Israel-Iran tension

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