UNITED NATIONS: A senior United Nations official has warned that growing rhetoric about possible military action against Iran risks further inflaming an already volatile situation, as nationwide protests continue across the country.
Addressing an emergency session of the UN Security Council, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, the assistant secretary-general in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, said nearly three weeks of protests in Iran had evolved into nationwide upheaval, resulting in a significant loss of life.
Reiterating UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ “deep concern” over reports of excessive use of force by Iranian authorities, Pobee stressed the urgent need to prevent further casualties.
Describing the situation as “fluid and deeply concerning”, Pobee said protests were continuing, though reportedly on a smaller scale than the previous week.
She also warned against US statements suggesting possible military strikes on Iran, saying the external dimension added volatility to an already combustible situation. “All efforts must be undertaken to prevent any further deterioration,” she said.
Pobee said the UN chief had reaffirmed the principles of the UN Charter, including the obligation of states to resolve disputes peacefully and the prohibition of the threat or use of force. “These principles are not abstract ideals — they are the bedrock of international peace and security,” she said.
The emergency meeting was held amid heightened regional tensions over a possible US strike against Iran. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly pledged support for protesters, while Iranian officials have accused the United States and Israel of backing unrest and what they describe as acts of terrorism.
Iranian authorities have not released official figures on casualties or arrests. The Human Rights Activists News Agency, a US-based group, estimates that more than 2,600 people, including protesters and security personnel, have been killed since the unrest began.
