UN Rights Chief Calls for Dialogue Amid Middle East Strikes
“I deplore the military strikes across Iran this morning by Israel and the United States of America, and the subsequent retaliatory strikes by Iran,” Volker Turk said in a statement.
He stressed that civilians bear the heaviest burden in times of war. “As always, in any armed conflict, it is civilians who end up paying the ultimate price.
"Bombs and missiles are not the way to resolve differences but only result in death, destruction and human misery.”
Calling for urgent de-escalation, he urged all parties to reconsider their actions. “To avert these terrible consequences for civilians, I call for restraint and implore all parties to see reason, to de-escalate, and for a return to the negotiating table where they had been actively seeking a solution only hours earlier,” he said.
He further warned of the dangers of prolonged confrontation. “Failing to do so risks an even wider conflict, that will inevitably lead to further senseless civilian deaths and destruction on a potentially unimaginable scale, not just in Iran but across the Middle East region.”
The appeal comes shortly after indirect discussions between US and Iranian representatives took place in Geneva, facilitated by Omani mediators, as part of efforts to address Tehran’s nuclear program.
Turk also emphasized that safeguarding civilians must remain the highest priority during armed conflict, adding that any violations of international humanitarian law should result in accountability.
Meanwhile, the head of the World Health Organization raised alarms about the broader health consequences of the escalating hostilities. He said the agency was concerned by the “grave risk to people's health” posed by the expanding crisis.
“The threat of nuclear facilities being impacted is especially worrying,” he said.
"All must be done to reduce any nuclear safety risk, which may affect people in the region," he added.
“We urge leaders to choose the challenging path of dialogue over the senseless route of destruction.”
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