UN chief warns world cannot afford another war amid US-Iran tensions

In wake of an Iranian ballistic missile attack on airbases which house US forces in Iraq, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said he would continue his active engment to de-escalate tensions and avert full-scale war, which "world cant afford."

In a statement released by his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on Wednesday, Guterres re-iterated "passionate appeal for peace" he me on Monday, after tensions rose dramatically across whole Gulf region, following killing of top Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani, in a US drone strike. Iran said it h carried out a pre-dawn ballistic missile attack on Wednesday against two airbases used by US and or coalition forces in Iraq, in retaliation for targeted killing on outskirts of Baghd airport on Friday.

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bases struck were large Al As base, west of Baghd, and ar in Erbil, centre of Iraq’s Kurdish region. strikes came just hours after burial of influential general, marked by huge crowds, in Iran. UN chief repeated his four-point mess to world leers, to: "Stop escalation. Exercise maximum restraint. Re-start dialogue", and "renew international cooperation." "This appeal remains as important today as it was on Monday. For his part, Secretary-General will continue his active engment with relevant actors," statement said.

Guterres said it is "our common duty to make every effort to avoid a war in Gulf that world cant afford. We must t forget terrible human suffering caused by war. As always, ordinary people pay highest price," Guterres said. UN Iraq mission also called for 'urgent restraint'. Citing missile attacks in Erbil and Anbar goverrates, UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) said offensive served to "only escalate conflict, and again violate Iraqi sovereignty."

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mission said in a tweet, "Senseless violence has predictable effects. We call for urgent restraint and a resumption of dialogue. Iraq should t pay price for external rivalries.” During his daily press briefing, Dujarric ded that "we very much support unity, sovereignty of Iraq.” He said UN chief h spoken by phone on Tuesday with Iraq's President Barham Salih, "to whom he expressed solidarity of United Nations and continuing support for Iraqi people.” " international community should support Iraqi people as y seek to create conditions for political dialogue,” he ded.

Following a statement me by US President Donald Trump from White House on Wednesday, Dujarric ded: "We welcome any indication that leers are walking back from major confrontation, and are doing whatever y can, to avoid any furr escalation.” Guterres stressed in a tweet that “Peace is our most precious value. It is product of hard work and we must never take it for granted." He said he is “encourd by signs that escalating conflict in Gulf may be subsiding. world cant afford ar war.” 

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