United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged all combatants in the Middle East to cease hostilities and return to negotiations, warning the region is being "pushed to the breaking point."
Speaking in Türkiye while accepting the Atatürk International Award for Peace, Guterres highlighted the escalating conflict, stating, "The massive military strikes launched by the United States and Israel and the subsequent attacks by Iran on so many countries constitute a grave threat to international peace and security and has caused immense suffering for civilians."
He emphasized that "the most vulnerable are being hurt first and worst," with cascading consequences worldwide, including disrupted trade, rising energy and food prices, and deepening insecurity. Guterres stressed that de-escalation and dialogue are the only viable path forward, calling for an "off-ramp" from the current crisis.