UN Slams Middle East Escalation, Security Council Meets Urgently
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria – United Nations warns that the Middle East stands at a perilous tipping point after the United States and Israel launch strikes on Iran, prompting an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Saturday.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemns the escalation, calling for an “immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation,” warning that the attacks and Iran’s retaliation undermine international peace and security.
The emergency session, requested by France, China, Russia, Bahrain and Colombia, is scheduled for 4:00 pm in New York. Russia’s UN mission describes the strikes as an “unprovoked act of armed aggression” and says it will demand that Washington and Tel Aviv halt what it calls illegal actions and returns to diplomacy.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a letter to the UN, urges the council to take “immediate measures” to stop what Tehran describes as unlawful use of force. He warns that the US and Israel will bear responsibility for any further escalation.
The strikes, which target Iranian military and nuclear-linked facilities, trigger missile responses aimed at Israel and Gulf states hosting US bases, fuelling fears of a wider regional war.
UN Slams Middle East Escalation, Security Council Meets Urgently
The European Union describes the situation as “perilous.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urges restraint and stresses the need to protect civilians and ensure nuclear safety.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
Koko Maxwella 
Oluwatobi Adu