Threats to international peace and security - Security Council, 9941st meeting

United States bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities marks ‘perilous turn’ in volatile Middle East, Secretary-General warns Security Council during emergency meeting.

• Categories: Meetings & Events / Security Council
• Video Length: 02:13:07
• Production Date: 22 June 2025
• Asset Language: Arabic; English; French; Russian; Spanish; Chinese; Original
• Personal Subject: ANTONIO GUTERRES; MIROSLAV JENCA
• Corporate Name: INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY - IAEA
• Subject Topical: INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY; NUCLEAR FACILITIES; AERIAL BOMBINGS; CIVILIAN PROTECTION; NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION; CONFLICT; MILITARY ACTIVITY; RADIATION; INTERNATIONAL LAW; UN CHARTER
• Geographic Subject: UNITED STATES; IRAN; ISRAEL; MIDDLE EAST
• MAMS Id: 3415867
• Parent Id: 3415629
• Alternate Title: MTG SC 9941 INTL PEACE SECURITY 22 JUN 2025 PM

Description

The United States’ bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities marks a “perilous turn” in an already volatile region, Secretary-General António Guterres warned during an emergency meeting of the Security Council today. The United Nations’ top nuclear watchdog official also cautioned that violence could reach “unthinkable levels”, and that the global non-proliferation regime “as we know it could crumble and fall”. 

“We now risk descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation,” Mr. Guterres warned the 15-member Council. “To avoid it, diplomacy must prevail,” he stressed. 

He called for civilians to be protected and for safe maritime navigation to be guaranteed, calling for the immediate and decisive halt in fighting and a return to “serious, sustained negotiations” on the Iran nuclear programme. 

“We need a credible, comprehensive and verifiable solution — one that restores trust — including with full access to inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),” he went on to say. 

The Non-Proliferation Treaty is a cornerstone of international peace and security, and Iran must fully respect it. For their part, Member States must act in accordance with their obligations under the UN Charter and other rules of international law, including international humanitarian law, Mr. Guterres stated. 

Related Sites and Documents

UN Meetings Coverage