INTERNEWSTIMES.COM – The escalating tensions between Israel and Iran have taken a dramatic turn, with Israel barring United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres from entering the country. The move comes in the wake of Iran’s recent ballistic missile bombardment of Israel, which prompted a strong response from the Israeli government.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, issued a statement condemning Guterres’s response to the missile strikes, accusing him of being “anti-Israel” and “lending support to terrorists.” Katz’s statement did not elaborate on specific instances of Guterres’s alleged bias, but it is widely believed to be related to the Secretary-General’s call for an immediate ceasefire in the region.
Following Iran’s missile attack, which saw approximately 180 missiles launched towards Israel, Guterres took to social media to express his concern over the escalating violence. While condemning the “broadening of the Middle East conflict with escalation after escalation,” Guterres did not specifically mention Iran’s attack. He emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire, stating that the region “absolutely” required de-escalation.
Guterres’s call for a ceasefire, while widely supported by the international community, appears to have been met with resistance from the Israeli government. The ban on Guterres’s entry into Israel is seen as a clear signal of the country’s displeasure with his response to the conflict.
The situation remains volatile, with both Israel and Iran vowing to defend their interests. The international community is closely watching the developments, urging both sides to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue to de-escalate the situation. (Red)
