Tel Aviv: In a powerful address at an emergency UN Security Council meeting, Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, warned that the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran poses a grave threat to regional and global peace, calling for immediate diplomatic intervention.
“The imperative for diplomacy has seldom been greater,” DiCarlo stated, emphasizing the importance of de-escalation and dialogue as violence spirals across the Middle East. She cited the recent Geneva meeting involving Iran’s foreign minister and officials from Britain, France, and Germany as a hopeful sign that a peaceful resolution may still be possible.
“We fully support such efforts,” she added. “Every opportunity must be taken to end hostilities, prevent further bloodshed, and achieve a negotiated settlement.”
According to data presented by DiCarlo and reported by Xinhua News Agency, the impact of the conflict has been devastating. Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted over 100 military and nuclear sites across Iran, hitting not just strategic locations but also residences, government buildings, refineries, hospitals, and even Iran’s state-run television headquarters during a live broadcast.
In retaliation, Iran has launched multiple strikes, affecting residential neighborhoods and infrastructure across Israel, prompting civilian casualties, air travel restrictions, and a nationwide state of emergency.
Official figures shared at the Security Council reveal that Israeli attacks in Iran have left 224 people dead and more than 2,500 injured, while Iranian attacks in Israel have caused 24 fatalities and over 900 injuries.
“Civilians are bearing the brunt of this escalating violence,” DiCarlo said. “We are teetering on the edge of a full-blown conflict and a humanitarian catastrophe.”
The conflict’s ripple effects are also spreading. DiCarlo highlighted how airspace across Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq remains dangerously restricted due to ongoing airstrikes. She also pointed to the Houthis in Yemen launching missiles at Israel and rising tensions among militant groups in Iraq, underlining the growing regional implications.
“The situation is volatile, and the potential for miscalculation is immense,” DiCarlo warned. “Any further escalation could destabilize not just the Middle East, but also threaten international peace and security.”
As calls for restraint echo across diplomatic corridors, the UN is urging all parties involved to return to the negotiating table before the conflict reaches an irreversible tipping point.
