Guterres: Evidence of War Crimes by Israel and Iran
3/20/2026 6:21:37 PM
United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, stated that there are strong reasons to believe that both sides in the conflict, Israel and Iran, have committed war crimes. He added that Iran's strategy relies on prolonging the conflict and inflicting maximum damage on its adversary, according to "Russia Today".
Guterres considered that the key to resolving the conflict lies in the United States declaring its mission accomplished, noting that Iran's attacks on energy facilities, as well as the attack on its own facilities, provide strong grounds to believe they may constitute war crimes. He stressed the need to end the war, emphasizing that this decision rests with the United States.
The UN Secretary-General's remarks came amid escalating military tensions between Iran and Israel, which have recently seen an exchange of strikes targeting strategic facilities in both countries. International concerns are focused on the possibility of the conflict's widening into a full-blown regional war, particularly given the lack of progress toward an agreement on Iran's nuclear program.
Also, the United Nations has repeatedly called for restraint and adherence to international humanitarian law, amid mutual accusations between both two sides of targeting civilians and vital infrastructure. The United States plays a pivotal role in the equation, as Israel's main ally and also as a key player in the indirect negotiations with Iran.
Guterres considered that the key to resolving the conflict lies in the United States declaring its mission accomplished, noting that Iran's attacks on energy facilities, as well as the attack on its own facilities, provide strong grounds to believe they may constitute war crimes. He stressed the need to end the war, emphasizing that this decision rests with the United States.
The UN Secretary-General's remarks came amid escalating military tensions between Iran and Israel, which have recently seen an exchange of strikes targeting strategic facilities in both countries. International concerns are focused on the possibility of the conflict's widening into a full-blown regional war, particularly given the lack of progress toward an agreement on Iran's nuclear program.
Also, the United Nations has repeatedly called for restraint and adherence to international humanitarian law, amid mutual accusations between both two sides of targeting civilians and vital infrastructure. The United States plays a pivotal role in the equation, as Israel's main ally and also as a key player in the indirect negotiations with Iran.