UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure as “unacceptable,” after Iran accused the United States of targeting bridges and transport hubs during its military campaign.
The Secretary General remains deeply concerned by the continuing military escalation between Iran and the United States of America,” spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters.
“He’s particularly concerned about attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran and across the region. Such attacks are unacceptable,” he added. The United States has not confirmed Iran’s allegations that it targeted civilian sites.
Iran says 38 killed, over 400 injured in renewed US strikes
Earlier, Iran’s Health Ministry said that at least 38 people have been killed and more than 400 others injured since renewed United States military strikes began on June 22, as hostilities between the two countries continue.
Health Ministry spokesman Hossein Kermanpour said the casualty figures reflect the human toll of the ongoing attacks, adding that civilians, including women and children, were among those affected.
In a post on X, Kermanpour said the number of people injured in the US strikes had exceeded 400, while 38 people had lost their lives during the same period.
در #جنگ_تیرماه،تا ساعت ۶:۳۰صبح ۲۶ تیر،شمار مصدومین حملات آمریکا از ۴۰۰ نفر عبور و ۳۸ نفر هموطن شهید شدند؛ در میان آنان ۲۲ زن مصدوم،۳ زن شهید،۹ مصدوم زیر ۱۸ سال و یک شهید زیر ۱۸ سال دیده میشود.۴۷ نفر بستری و نیازمند دعای مردم عزیز.
سلامت، نخستین قربانی جنگ است. #تیم_سلامت #ایران— حسین کرمانپور Hossein.Kermanpour (@HKermanpour) July 17, 2026
He said the victims included 22 injured women and three women who were killed. The ministry also reported that nine people under the age of 18 were injured, while one child was among those killed.
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The latest figures come amid a sharp escalation in tensions between Tehran and Washington, with both sides engaged in a series of military exchanges that have heightened concerns over the risk of a wider regional conflict.
Iranian authorities have continued to condemn the US strikes, describing them as attacks on the country’s sovereignty, while the humanitarian impact of the conflict is becoming increasingly evident as casualty numbers continue to rise.
Pakistan calls for restraint
Meanwhile, mediator Pakistan urged all parties to avoid actions that could further undermine regional peace and stability.
Speaking at the Foreign Office’s weekly media briefing in Islamabad, spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan continued to support diplomacy and the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as an enduring framework for promoting peace, mutual respect and shared prosperity.
“The Islamabad MoU remains an enduring framework for promoting peace, mutual respect and shared prosperity,” Andrabi said.
He said Pakistan would continue encouraging all parties to end hostilities and resume technical-level negotiations under the Islamabad MoU and the Pakistan-Qatar Joint Statement issued on 22 June.
Andrabi said Pakistan remained actively engaged with regional and international partners to support de-escalation efforts and a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
He also warned that continued tensions around the Strait of Hormuz were affecting countries across the Global South by disrupting global energy supplies, trade and food security.
He expressed hope for the early normalisation of the security situation in the waterway and stressed the importance of ensuring the continued safety and freedom of international maritime navigation.
