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UN Secretary General António Guterres is calling for “maximum restraint” and de-escalation after Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel early on Sunday.
“We have a shared responsibility” to de-escalate tensions and work for peace, he said while opening the emergency session of the Security Council on Sunday.
“It’s time to step back from the brink. It’s vital to avoid any action that could lead to measured military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East. Civilians are already bearing the brunt and paying the highest price. And we have a shared responsibility to actively engage all parties concerned to prevent further escalation.”
Joe Biden does not want an escalation in the regional conflict or a “wider war” with Iran, and is “working on the diplomatic side of this personally,” the White House national security spokesman John Kirby told NBC News on Sunday.
“The president has been very clear. We don’t seek a war with Iran. We are not looking for escalation here. We will continue to help Israel defend itself”, Kirby said.
The US on Sunday highlighted its role in helping Israel thwart Iran’s aerial attack as President Joe Biden convened leaders of the Group of Seven countries in an effort to prevent a wider regional escalation and coordinate a global rebuke of Tehran.
The US assisted Israel in shooting down dozens of drones and missiles fired by Iran on Saturday in what was the first time it had launched a direct military assault on Israel. Israeli authorities said 99% of the inbound weapons were shot down without causing any significant damage.
US officials said that despite the high interception rate, Iran’s intent was to “destroy and cause casualties” and that if successful, the strikes would have caused an “uncontrollable” escalation across the Mideast. US officials said Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an effort to contain tensions, that Washington would not participate in any offensive action against Iran, and the president made “very clear” to Netanyahu “that we do have to think carefully and strategically” about risks of escalation.
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