The United Nations Security Council will convene an emergency session on Saturday after coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran triggered a fresh wave of military confrontation across the Middle East.
According to UN diplomats, the 15-member council will meet at 4pm in New York (2100 GMT). The session will be chaired by United Kingdom, which holds the council’s rotating monthly presidency.
Russia’s UN mission said the emergency meeting was requested by Russia and China in response to what it described as an “unprovoked act of armed aggression” by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The request was also supported by France, Bahrain and Colombia.
In a statement, Russia said it would demand that Washington and Tel Aviv immediately cease what it termed “illegal and escalatory actions” and return to a political and diplomatic path.
UN Chief Calls for Immediate De-escalation
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is expected to address the council during the session. Earlier, Guterres condemned the intensifying military escalation, warning that continued hostilities risk triggering a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians.
“The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security,” he said in a statement, urging all parties to immediately cease hostilities and return to negotiations.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also criticised the strikes, emphasising that civilians inevitably bear the brunt of armed conflict.
Nuclear Watchdog Monitoring Situation
The International Atomic Energy Agency said it was closely monitoring developments and remained in permanent contact with regional authorities. The agency reported no evidence so far of radiological impact but urged restraint to prevent any risk to nuclear safety.
Macron Urges Diplomatic Resolution
French President Emmanuel Macron separately called for an urgent Security Council meeting, warning that open conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran carries “serious consequences” for global peace.
Macron said he had spoken with leaders of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan, as well as the president of the Kurdistan region, reaffirming France’s readiness to support regional partners if requested.
“The current escalation is dangerous for everyone. It must stop,” Macron said, urging Tehran to engage in good-faith negotiations over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and regional policies.
The emergency meeting comes amid rising fears that the conflict could spiral into a broader regional war, with diplomatic efforts now under intense pressure to prevent further escalation.
