By Our Reporter, With Agency Reports
UN SECRETARY-GENERAL, António Guterres, issued a blunt warning on Thursday that the ongoing war on Iran risks igniting a global spiral of violence, as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the killing of its spokesman.
Following the latest targeted strike in an escalating military conflict, Guterres called for an immediate end to the joint U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign, cautioning that the military assault threatens to spiral into an uncontrollable situation with severe consequences beyond the battlefield.
He noted that civilian suffering is mounting, particularly in least developed nations facing “tragic consequences” from rising energy prices and supply chain disruptions following attacks on natural gas fields and other infrastructure in the Gulf.
In a direct appeal to Tehran, the UN chief urged Iranian leadership to cease attacks on Gulf neighbours who are not parties to the conflict, specifically citing threats to shipping in the vital Strait of Hormuz.
“It’s time for the force of the law to prevail over the law of force. It’s time for diplomacy to prevail over war,” Guterres stated, noting that the Security Council has condemned the attacks and demanded the reopening of the strategic waterway.
The urgency of the UN’s plea was underscored by reports from Iran, where the IRGC confirmed that its spokesman, General Ali Mohammad Naini, was killed in a strike the elite force blamed on Israel and the United States.
Described as a veteran commander with over four decades of service, Naini’s death adds to a growing list of high-profile Iranian leadership casualties following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the campaign’s opening hours.
As the conflict intensifies, European Union leaders are moving to prevent a secondary crisis, vowing to avoid a repeat of the 2015 migration emergency.
Following a summit in Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasised that while no major migratory movements toward Europe have been observed yet, the bloc must remain prepared.
“We will not let there be a repeat of 2015,” she said, adding that the EU is now “better equipped” with legal and operational tools.
The push for preparedness was led by Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, and Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, who called on the EU to activate mechanisms such as an “emergency brake” to turn away asylum seekers at borders if necessary.
In a joint letter to EU leadership, they advocated for increased aid to the region of origin to prevent mass displacement, stressing that the EU must “fully mobilise its diplomatic, legal, operational and financial tools to prevent uncontrolled migratory movements.”
With millions already displaced within the Middle East, EU leaders are accelerating preparations for new asylum rules set to take effect in June, aiming to distribute migrants more evenly across member states and process claims more swiftly.
