\n<\/p>\n
After ten days of airstrikes initiated by Israel aimed at crippling Iran\u2019s nuclear programme which have led to deadly daily exchanges of missile fire between Tehran and Tel Aviv, the UN chief said that diplomacy must now prevail.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe now risk descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation<\/strong>,\u201d he said, responding to the US intervention overnight in support of Israel\u2019s military campaign, which targeted three facilities involved in uranium enrichment.<\/p>\n \u201cWe must act \u2013 immediately and decisively \u2013 to halt the fighting and return to serious, sustained negotiations on the Iran nuclear programme<\/strong>,\u201d Mr. Guterres added.<\/p>\n He told ambassadors the citizens of the wider Middle East region could not endure yet another cycle of destruction. Demanding a ceasefire, he also put Iran on notice that it must \u201cfully respect\u201d the Non-Proliferation Treaty on the development of nuclear weapons as a cornerstone of peace and security worldwide.<\/p>\n Iran has consistently denied the allegation from Israel and others that its ambitions are to become a nuclear armed State, versus developing atomic energy for purely peaceful purposes.<\/p>\n Israel, the US and Iran face a stark choice. \u201cOne path leads to a wider war,\u201d the UN chief continued, \u201cdeeper human suffering and serious damage to the international order. The other leads to de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The head of the UN\u2019s atomic energy watchdog, the IAEA, warned ambassadors the recent military strikes by Israel and now the US on nuclear sites in Iran have badly compromised safety and could pose serious risks if the situation worsens.<\/p>\n International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi said the attacks had caused \u201ca sharp degradation in nuclear safety and security<\/strong>\u201d, even though there had been no radiation leaks which could potentially impact the public so far.<\/p>\n The IAEA chief warned ambassadors that if the short window of opportunity to return to dialogue closes then the destruction could be \u201cunthinkable\u201d while the global nuclear non-proliferation regime \u201cas we know it could crumble and fall.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Mr. Grossi confirmed that Iran\u2019s main enrichment facility at Natanz had suffered major damage, including to key power infrastructure and underground halls containing uranium materials.<\/p>\n He said the main concern inside the site was now chemical contamination, which can be dangerous if inhaled or ingested.<\/p>\n He also listed damage at other nuclear-related sites across the country, including Esfahan, Arak and Tehran, adding that while radiation levels outside remained normal, the attacks had raised alarm over Iran\u2019s operational nuclear plant at Bushehr.<\/p>\n Mr. Grossi warned that any strike on Bushehr could trigger a massive radiation release across the region. \u201cThe risk is real,\u201d he said. \u201cMilitary escalation threatens lives and delays the diplomacy that\u2019s needed to resolve this crisis.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n He urged all sides to show restraint and said the IAEA stood ready to send experts back in to help monitor and protect damaged nuclear sites.<\/p>\n Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Miroslav Jen\u010da told ambassadors that the world is facing \u201ca dangerous moment\u201d following the US bombing mission, as Iran considers potential retaliation.<\/p>\n He warned the council that the region risks being \u201cengulfed in further instability and volatility\u201d, with \u201cno military solution to this conflict\u201d.<\/p>\n Mr. Jen\u010da confirmed extensive damage at Iranian sites, citing open-source satellite imagery and Iranian reports that tunnels and buildings at the Fordow nuclear facility had been hit. He urged Tehran to grant IAEA inspectors access \u201cas soon as safety conditions allow\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\nReturn to serious negotiations essential<\/h2>\n
Grossi warns of major risks following strikes<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Massive radiation leak still possible<\/h2>\n
Senior political affairs official: \u2018No military solution\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Death toll mounting<\/h2>\n