UN Secretary General condemns US-Israel attack, urges parties to 'return to negotiating table on Iran's nuclear programme'

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

• UN condemns US-Israel strikes on Iran as threat to global peace
• Iran confirms death of Supreme Leader Khamenei, vows retaliation
• Guterres urges return to talks, warns against further escalation

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An emergency meeting was called by the United Nations to address the situation arising in the Middle East following the US-Israel attack on Iran from Saturday morning.

During the emergency meeting, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the massive military strikes by US and Israel against Iran and said it posed a grave threat to international peace and security.

"There is no viable alternative to peaceful settlement of international disputes," said Guterres.

The attacks on Iran followed even as US and Iran were in talks about the latter's nucleur programme. On Saturday, after confirming that US had also participated in the attacks launched by Israel on Iran, US President Donald Trump said he was not very happy with the round of talks that were held with Iran as they failed to reach a desired conclusion.

"United States has made every effort to negotiate a peaceful resolution of this conflict with Iran but Iran has failed to take that opportunity," said US ambassador to United Nations Mike Waltz at the emergency meeting.

"US and Israeli attacks followed indirect US-Iran talks; preparations made in Vienna followed by new round of political talks, deeply regret this opportunity of diplomacy squandered," said Guterres.

Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani alleged that the US and Israel  committed a "war crime." "The number of innocent civilians continues to rise. This is not only an act of aggression, it is a war crime and a crime against humanity," said Iravani.

Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon defended Israel's stance. "Israel along with US acted to confront and stop an existential threat before it became irreversible; we did not act out of impulse or aggression, but out of necessity. The joint effort will continue as long as threat remains," said Israel's ambassador at the UN's emergency meeting.

Guterres urged all parties to 'return immediately to negotiating table, notably on Iran nuclear program.' He also urged strict adherence to international law, protecting civilians, and nuclear safety to prevent further escalation and pull region "back from the brink."

Following the US-Israel attacks, Iran on Sunday confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and declared 40 days of national mourning. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has vowed severe retaliation for Khamenei’s killing, raising fears of a broader regional confrontation.