UN chief warns Iran war ‘out of control,’ world staring down barrel of wider conflict

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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres holds a press briefing outlining his priorities for 2026 at the United Nations headquarters in New York, United States, on January 29, 2026. Selçuk Acar – Anadolu Agency]

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Wednesday that the Iran war has spun beyond all boundaries, declaring the conflict “out of control,” cautioning that the world faces the prospect of a far broader confrontation, Anadolu reports.

“More than three weeks on, this war is out of control,” Guterres told reporters at a news conference at UN headquarters in New York, adding that “the conflict has broken past the limits even leaders thought imaginable.”

“The world is staring down the barrel of a wider war, a rising tide of human suffering, and a deeper global economic shock,” he said, stressing that it “has gone too far.”

Calling for an end to the military escalation, Guterres said. “It is time to stop climbing the escalation ladder and start climbing the diplomatic ladder, and return to full respect of international law.”

Pointing to the key parties involved in the war, he said, “My message to the United States and Israel is that it is high time to end the war as human suffering deepens, civilian casualties mount, and the global economic impact is increasingly devastating.”

Guterres urged Iran to end attacks on the Gulf countries, arguing that they “are not parties to the conflict.”

Highlighting the economic ripple effects of the war, Guterres said, “The prolonged closure of the Strait (of Hormuz) is choking the movement of oil, gas, and fertilizer at a critical moment in the global planting season.”

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global goods and energy trade, had been largely disrupted by escalating tensions in the Gulf following US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation.

READ: Hebrew media: Iran sets five conditions to end war with US and Israel

The strait, which connects Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, and Iran to global markets, handles roughly 25% of global oil trade, about 20% of liquefied natural gas trade, and nearly 30% of fertilizer trade.

The UN chief turned his attention to Lebanon and said, “Israel must stop its military operations and strikes in Lebanon, which are hitting civilians the hardest,” adding, “The Gaza model must not be replicated in Lebanon.”

In efforts to de-escalate tensions, Guterres further announced the appointment of Jean Arnault of France as his “personal envoy to lead the UN efforts on the conflict and its consequences.”

Arnault was the UN chief’s personal envoy on Afghanistan and regional issues in 2021.

When asked for details about Arnault’s role, Guterres said he “will be doing everything possible to support all the efforts for mediation, all the efforts for peace, to be in contact with all the parties” in the Middle East.

Guterres emphasized the need for diplomacy and full respect for international law, expressing hope that the parties involved in the Iran war will reach “an understanding to end this horrible conflict.”

“Because the consequences of the conflict, that is totally out of control at the present moment, are absolutely devastating,” he added.

The region has been shaken since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, so far killing more than 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.

READ: Iraqi factions announce carrying out 23 military operations targeting US bases

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Orcas discuss rotting brain. Front Orca says "Wish someone would lock him up".
Orcas discuss rotting brain. Front Orca says “Wish someone would lock him up”.
Donald Trump warns against following the https://onaquietday.org blog, says that it's easy atm, she only needs to report war crimes supporting Israel's genocidal expansion.
Donald Trump warns against following the https://onaquietday.org blog, says that it’s easy atm, she only needs to report war crimes supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion.
Keir Starmer explains that UK is participating defensively in Trump and Israel's criminal war for Israel's genocidal expansion in Iran and states that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said "I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is participating defensively in Trump and Israel’s criminal war for Israel’s genocidal expansion in Iran and states that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/

Continue ReadingUN chief warns Iran war ‘out of control,’ world staring down barrel of wider conflict

UN chief warns Gaza hunger gains are ‘fragile’ as 1.6M still face extreme food insecurity

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Displaced Palestinians, who struggle with hunger, wait to receive hot meal, distributed by charity organizations, in al-Mawasi region of Khan Yunis, Gaza on December 17, 2025. [Abed Rahim Khatib – Anadolu Agency]

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday warned that while famine in the Gaza Strip has been averted, the humanitarian situation remains extremely fragile, with more than 75% of the population facing acute food insecurity and critical risks of malnutrition, Anadolu Agency reports.

“Famine has been pushed back. Far more people are able to access the food they need to survive,” Guterres told a news conference at the UN headquarters in New York. “Gains are fragile, perilously so.”

He said 1.6 million people in Gaza, more than 75% of the population, are projected to face “extreme levels of acute food insecurity and critical malnutrition risks.”

“And in more than half of Gaza, where Israeli troops remain deployed, farmland and entire neighborhoods are out of reach. Strikes and hostilities continue, pushing the civilian toll of this war even higher and exposing our teams to grave danger,” he said.

Guterres also renewed calls for “a durable ceasefire,” saying: “We need more crossings, the lifting of restrictions on critical items, the removal of red tape, safe routes inside Gaza, sustained funding, and unimpeded access, including for NGOs.”

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) released its news findings on Friday, noting that famine conditions in the enclave have been temporarily offset following a reduction in hostilities and improved access for humanitarian and commercial food deliveries. The latest report, however, warned that the overall situation in Gaza remains critical.

The UN chief also touched on Israel’s refusal to move onto the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan until the return of the remains of a final deceased hostage.

“It is essential to move to phase two, and I don’t think that we should have any pretext to avoid it,” said Guterres.

“It’s very important to move with the peace process as a whole. And it’s not only phase two. It’s to make sure that phase one, and namely the ceasefire, are fully implemented,” he added.

READ: Egypt, Russia stress need to sustain Gaza ceasefire agreement

ICJ ruling on occupied West Bank ‘must be implemented’

On the situation in the West Bank, Guterres warned that “we cannot lose sight of the rapidly deteriorating situation” in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel.

He stressed that Palestinians face “escalating Israeli settler violence, land seizures, demolitions and intensified movement restrictions.”

“Tens of thousands have been displaced following operations by Israeli forces in the northern West Bank,” he added.

Guterres emphasized that provisional measures indicated by the International Court of Justice “are binding and must be implemented.”

He also reaffirmed his support for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), calling it “an indispensable role in serving the Palestinian people.”

Saying that the crisis in Palestine is “born of human decisions,” the UN chief urged for an end to “perverse and prolonged suffering.”

“Palestinians need a horizon of hope. The ceasefire must be implemented in full. The endless cycle of violence must be broken,” he said.

READ: WHO chief says over 10,600 patients evacuated from Gaza, warns many still waiting

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Vote Labour for Genocide.
Vote Labour for Genocide.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.

Continue ReadingUN chief warns Gaza hunger gains are ‘fragile’ as 1.6M still face extreme food insecurity

‘I will not shut up’: UN chief says he will keep pushing for 2-state solution

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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres gives a speech in New York City, United States. on Monday, May 05, 2025.[Selçuk Acar – Anadolu Agency]

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he will “not shut up” while speaking out on the future of the two-state solution to the Palestinian issue, stressing that he will continue to push for political progress, Anadolu reports.

His remarks came during the 2025 UN Reham Al-Farra (RAF) Fellowship session on Friday, where he warned young journalists that the world is facing a “perfect storm” of conflicts, climate chaos, deepening inequality and unregulated artificial intelligence.

The UN chief said he would not give up on efforts to advance a political path forward, stressing that avoiding a return to past violence is “not enough.”

“It is absolutely essential that we move to Phase Two, and that the final result is the two-state solution… There will be no peace in the Middle East without the self-determination of the Palestinian people.”

He added that even if the Security Council cannot deliver such progress, he “will not shut up” if developments move away from international law and the UN Charter.

READ: Gaza ceasefire remains incomplete without West Bank, Qatari prime minister says

‘A perfect storm’: Conflicts, climate and a paralyzed Security Council

Earlier in his address, Guterres painted a bleak global picture, saying today’s international landscape is dramatically more dangerous than when he took office in 2017.

He cited the Russia-Ukraine war, the “level of death and destruction” in Gaza, escalating violence in Sudan, Myanmar and the Sahel, and the spread of terrorism across Africa.

He sharply criticized the Security Council’s inability to act, calling it “paralyzed” and structurally outdated, with no permanent representation from Africa or Latin America and a veto system that “protects violations of international law.”

Climate overshoot: ‘My generation has failed’

On the climate crisis, Guterres delivered one of his starkest warnings, declaring: “My generation has failed in relation to climate action.”

He said the world is heading toward a temperature overshoot above 1.5°C, with devastating consequences for human health, food security and global stability. Current national emissions pledges amount to only 10% reductions by 2035, far below the 60% required, he added.

READ: UN General Assembly renews mandate of UN agency for Palestinian refugees for 3 years

Calls for Global South representation and institutional reform

Answering questions from fellows, Guterres said the UN is pushing for reforms to strengthen the voice of the Global South, but such changes ultimately depend on member states, adding: “Power is never distributed. Power is taken.”

He noted that emerging economies – Brazil, India, China, Indonesia and others – represent a growing share of global output, while global governance structures still reflect the world of 1945.

Humanitarian funding collapse and widening inequalities

Guterres also warned that reduced contributions to development and humanitarian aid, including cuts by the United States and other donors, have resulted in a “deep disaster” for communities facing hunger, lack of health services and collapsing essential infrastructure.

To adapt, UN agencies are consolidating supply chains, procurement and logistics to preserve as many resources as possible for crisis-affected populations.

A message to young people: Don’t give up, transform the system

Addressing widespread youth distrust in multilateral institutions, he urged young journalists to fight for reform rather than abandon the system.

“There is no solution to global issues without strong multilateral institutions… The answer is not to get rid of them, but to transform them,” he added.

READ: UN chief: Israel committed war crimes in Gaza

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Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
Continue Reading‘I will not shut up’: UN chief says he will keep pushing for 2-state solution

UN chief: Israel committed war crimes in Gaza

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hold a press briefing on the 9th African Union–United Nations annual conference at UN Headquarters in New York City, United States on November 12, 2025. [Selçuk Acar – Anadolu Agency]

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday that there was a “fundamental wrong” in Israeli management of its military operation in the Gaza Strip. He added that there are “strong reasons” to believe war crimes have been committed there.

In an interview at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York, Guterres said: “I think there was something fundamentally wrong in the way this operation was conducted with total neglect in relation to the deaths of civilians and to the destruction of Gaza,”

He also stressed that ending the Russian-Ukrainian war should abide by international law and the territorial integrity of states,” adding: “I believe we are still far from a solution.”

Regarding recent US strikes on ships near Venezuela, Guterres said they were not compatible with international law.

Gaza: Hundreds of reports of unexploded bombs as engineering teams work with almost no resources

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Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.

Continue ReadingUN chief: Israel committed war crimes in Gaza

UN chief condemns Israeli settlers attack on mosque in West Bank

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UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres addresses the audience during a press conference, part of the 16th United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) ministerial conference, in Geneva on October 22, 2025. [FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images]

The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has condemned an attack by settlers on a mosque in the north of the occupied West Bank.

The statement was delivered by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric during a press briefing held on Thursday.

He said: “The Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack by Israeli settlers on a mosque in the occupied West Bank,” expressing his deep concern over the incident carried out by Israelis who had taken over Palestinian land.

He stressed that such acts of violence and the desecration of religious sites are “completely unacceptable”, noting, according to Dujarric, that all places of worship must always be respected and protected.

Dujarric added that Guterres condemns all attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their property in the occupied West Bank, noting that such incidents are part of a growing pattern of extremist violence that escalates tensions.

He also stated that Israel, as the occupying power, has a duty to protect Palestinian civilians and ensure accountability for those responsible for such attacks.

On Thursday morning, settlers set fire to the Hajja Hamida Mosque in the Salfit governorate and sprayed racist graffiti on its walls.

Repression on display’: Ben-Gvir directs night raids on Palestinian homes in Israel

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Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.

Continue ReadingUN chief condemns Israeli settlers attack on mosque in West Bank