Iran and United States clash over strikes as UN urges de‑escalation
United Nations Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres warned that the renewed exchange of attacks between the United States and Iran could have catastrophic regional and global consequences. He called on both sides to end hostilities and resume diplomatic talks. The latest round includes Iranian strikes on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. strikes on Iranian targets, while Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed successful attacks on U.S. facilities in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait.
Pakistan also expressed concern over the heightened tensions and urged all parties to exercise restraint and pursue urgent de‑escalation. The conflict has further delayed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran has refused UN inspectors access, leaving the IAEA unable to verify the status of its enrichment program, which it estimates still holds about 440 kg of uranium enriched to roughly 60 %. Experts say technical monitoring is feasible, but political obstacles prevent comprehensive verification, and full access would be needed to determine whether the program is purely civilian.
The situation underscores the intertwined security, diplomatic and nuclear‑non‑proliferation challenges facing the region.