UN Warns Iran-Israel Conflict Could Spark ‘Uncontrollable Fire’

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark warning that the escalating war between Iran and Israel is spiraling into “a fire no one can control,” urging immediate de-escalation to avoid a global catastrophe.

Addressing the UN Security Council on Friday, Guterres said the intensifying Israeli military strikes on Iranian soil—particularly on nuclear sites—risk triggering a disaster with far-reaching consequences.

“We are not drifting toward crisis, we are racing toward it,” he warned. “The expansion of this conflict could ignite a fire no one can control—a moment that could shape the fate of nations.”

The regional fallout is widening rapidly, with missiles from Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting Israel and Palestinian territories, while armed groups in Iraq are reportedly mobilising.

Guterres’s address came amid soaring civilian casualties on both sides. Iran reported over 224 civilian deaths, with unofficial estimates suggesting double that figure. More than 2,500 people have been injured, and major cities like Tehran are experiencing fuel shortages, mass displacements, and growing panic.

In response to the Israeli bombardment of military and nuclear sites—including Natanz, Isfahan, and the Khondab heavy water reactor—Iran launched a series of retaliatory missile strikes targeting Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Beersheba. Key civilian infrastructure, including Soroka Medical Center and the Weizmann Institute, sustained damage.

At least 24 Israelis were reported dead, with more than 900 others injured in the attacks.

Guterres called for both countries to step back from the brink and give diplomacy a chance. He also emphasized the importance of Iran cooperating fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency to avoid further escalation and reduce nuclear risk.

“This is a defining moment for international peace and security,” he said.