New York: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged an immediate de-escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, calling for a ceasefire amid growing fears of regional instability.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Guterres expressed grave concern over the escalating military conflict. “I remain profoundly alarmed by the ongoing military escalation in the Middle East between Israel and Iran. I reiterate my call for immediate de-escalation leading to a ceasefire,” he said.
Quoting the Xinhua news agency, the statement highlighted concerns about the potential for the conflict to expand beyond the two nations. “I strongly appeal to all to avoid any further internationalisation of the conflict. Any additional military interventions could have enormous consequences, not only for those involved but for the whole region and for international peace and security at large,” Guterres warned.
He condemned the recent airstrikes for causing civilian casualties and damaging critical infrastructure. The Secretary-General stressed that diplomacy remains the only viable solution to address concerns surrounding Iran's nuclear programme and broader regional security issues.
“The UN Charter remains our shared framework to save people from the scourge of war. I urge all member states to comply fully with the Charter and international law, including international humanitarian law,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has intensified its operations. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Effie Defrin confirmed that Israeli jets carried out further airstrikes in western Iran on Wednesday evening, targeting missile launch and storage facilities.
According to Defrin, the latest wave of strikes aimed at operatives attempting to retrieve munitions from previously bombed locations, marking the third major Israeli assault within 24 hours. Earlier overnight attacks involved over 50 fighter jets striking nearly 40 sites near Tehran, including a centrifuge production facility used for uranium enrichment and an anti-tank missile production site linked to Hezbollah.
A second wave of airstrikes on Wednesday afternoon targeted over 20 additional locations in and around the Iranian capital.
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Ranchi, Aug 15 (PTI): Jharkhand Education Minister Ramdas Soren died on Friday, JMM national spokesperson Kunal Sarangi said.
He was 62.
Soren was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Delhi, where he was admitted on August 2.
"State Education Minister Ramdas Soren, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Delhi, is no more," Sarangi told PTI.
Soren's condition was critical and he was on life support, Sarangi said.
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader was airlifted to the hospital in the national capital from Jamshedpur after he fell in the bathroom of his residence on August 2.
A multidisciplinary team of senior specialists was closely monitoring his condition and providing intensive medical care.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren condoled his death.
Hemant Soren, in a post on X, wrote, "Ramdas Da (brother) should not have left us like this. Last greetings to Dada..."
Ramdas Soren, born in Ghorabandha village in East Singhbhum district on January 1, 1963, began his political journey as the gram pradhan of the Ghorabanda panchayat, eventually rising to become one of the most influential ministers in the Hemant Soren-led cabinet.
He won the Ghatshila assembly seat for the third time in 2024 by defeating BJP's Babulal Soren, son of former chief minister Champai Soren.
ऐसे छोड़ कर नहीं जाना था रामदास दा...
— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) August 15, 2025
अंतिम जोहार दादा... pic.twitter.com/5cKZkpIe9Z