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The United Nations on Monday renewed its call for an immediate de-escalation of hostilities as the United States and Iran continued exchanging deadly attacks for a second consecutive week, raising fears of a wider regional conflict and mounting civilian casualties across the Middle East.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the organisation remained “deeply concerned” over the renewed escalation, stressing that civilians and critical infrastructure must be protected under international humanitarian law.
“We are indeed concerned by a resurgence of hostilities and renewed escalation across much of the region,” Dujarric told reporters in New York. “Immediate de-escalation is essential.”
He emphasised that all parties must uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution, while ensuring the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and water supply systems.
The UN also expressed alarm over fresh threats by Yemen’s Houthi rebels to target Saudi Arabia and disrupt navigation in the Red Sea, warning that such actions could further widen the conflict and threaten one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.
Dujarric urged all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomacy rather than military confrontation.
He warned that renewed instability in the Red Sea could seriously disrupt humanitarian operations and international trade.
“We’ve seen the Red Sea already being choked off in the past. We don’t want to see a return to that,” he said, noting that any disruption would affect the shipment of humanitarian supplies, peacekeeping logistics and global energy trade.
The latest escalation comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains under severe pressure, fuelling concerns over its impact on global energy markets and the wider economy.
The renewed fighting has also undermined hopes for lasting peace following the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Washington and Tehran in June, which was intended to ease tensions after months of conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliatory attacks across the Gulf region.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that civilians are once again bearing the brunt of the violence.
“Across the Middle East, civilians are once again living with the fear and uncertainty of repeated strikes, and health systems are being forced to manage the consequences,” said WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy.
According to Iranian health authorities, 50 people have been killed and more than 500 injured this month, including women and children.
WHO also reported damage to essential infrastructure, including a strike on a water desalination plant in Hormozgan province that disrupted drinking water supplies for thousands of residents. Explosions near Baqaei Reference Hospital also forced the evacuation of children receiving specialised cancer treatment.
Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it was assessing reports of an overnight attack on the Darkhovin nuclear power plant under construction in Iran.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said the facility contained no nuclear material during the agency’s last inspection and that no radiological risk had been identified. Nevertheless, he called for maximum military restraint around all nuclear-related facilities.
Elsewhere in the Gulf, falling debris reportedly injured civilians in Qatar, while authorities in Kuwait reported injuries and significant damage following a strike on an oil facility. Power and water desalination plants were also affected, increasing pressure on emergency services and essential public utilities.
Reiterating its appeal, WHO called for an immediate halt to the violence and urged all sides to protect civilians, healthcare facilities and critical infrastructure in accordance with international humanitarian law. Source: UN News
