UN chief calls for immediate de-escalation as Israel-Iran conflict intensifies
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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BLO deployed for SIR in Rajasthan dies after collapsing; postmortem to ascertain cause of death
Jaipur (PTI): A booth-level officer (BLO) deployed for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Rajasthan’s Kotputli-Behror district died after collapsing on his way home, officials said on Thursday.
Police said the cause of death will be ascertained only after the post-mortem report is received.
According to officials, Vijay Gurjar (42) was posted as a BLO and had been working at the Government Sardar Senior Secondary School in Kotputli.
He suddenly fell on the road while returning home on Wednesday evening and suffered injuries. His family took him to the government BDM District Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
After the incident, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ramavatar Meena, Tehsildar Ramdhan Gurjar and senior police officers reached the hospital. The police conducted a post-mortem through a medical board and handed over the body to the family.
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A case has been registered at Kotputli police station.
Kotputli Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rajendra Kumar said the reason behind Gurjar's collapse is unclear and will be determined only after the medical report.
"Vijay's SIR work had already been completed on December 4. There was no pressure on him and no notice issued to him," SDM Meena said, adding that the administration had been regularly counselling and assisting BLOs during the exercise.
Family members said Gurjar did not return home until late Wednesday night, prompting a search. He was found unconscious a short distance from his home in Karwas village.
