United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming on Friday urged Israel and Iran to return to dialogue, warning that the world cannot endure yet another war.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Beijing, Fleming emphasized the Secretary-General's firm stance on pursuing a political resolution to Iran's nuclear issue, highlighting his call for dialogue and negotiations to prevent further conflict.
"The Secretary General has been very outspoken. He has issued a statement. He has called for the end. He has called for a return to dialogue. He believes that there is a political solution that can work through negotiations, that through the International Atomic Energy Agency, for example, and through the parties that were negotiating around Iran's nuclear program. So our hope is that this does not become a war. And we don't need any more wars in our world," Fleming said.
As a former head of global communications for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Fleming voiced concerns about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. She stressed the urgent need for greater access to aid and the risks humanitarians face in their efforts to sustain lives amid relentless violence.
"The situation in Gaza is unspeakable, and this is something that we are putting all of our energy in. Our humanitarians are risking their lives to try to keep people alive in Gaza. We're demanding more access, so that we can provide people with food, so they don't starve; with the medicines, so they can be treated. It's a very unusual refugee situation because the people cannot leave Gaza. Many of them don't want to leave also, for political reasons. But in any situation where bombs are falling, people will flee, and people are already fleeing. And so, we're very concerned that there could be another theatre of war. And we need to have this stopped," she said.
On June 13, Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, targeting senior military officials, nuclear scientists, and civilians. In response, Iran has continued to retaliate with missile and drone strikes on Israeli locations, escalating an ongoing conflict marked by casualties and significant damage on both sides.
UN official urges dialogue as tensions escalate in Israel-Iran conflict
