The United Nations Secretary-General on Tuesday welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, a development made public overnight via social media by US President Donald Trump.
The ceasefire was declared after a period of intense fighting between the two countries, with residents of Tehran reporting a “heavy barrage of attacks” before the temporary truce took effect in the early hours of Tuesday.
In a public statement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on both sides to respect the agreement in full. “The fighting must stop. The people of the two countries have already suffered too much,” he said, adding it was his “sincere hope that this ceasefire can be replicated in the other conflicts in the region.”
Despite the ceasefire, reports of renewed missile strikes have emerged, casting doubt over the durability of the agreement. The conflict, which escalated dramatically over the weekend, has already led to substantial casualties and significant damage on both sides.
Casualties Mount As Ceasefire Stalls
Updated figures released by Iranian authorities on Tuesday revealed that 610 people have died since June 13, including 49 women, 13 children, two pregnant women, and one infant. Additionally, 4,746 people have been injured, among them 185 women and 65 minors.
The Iranian health ministry reported that the conflict has damaged seven hospitals, four health units, six emergency bases, and nine ambulances. Meanwhile, approximately 28 Israeli civilians have been killed by Iranian missile strikes since hostilities began.
The conflict originated with Israeli air attacks on June 13, triggering Iranian retaliatory strikes. Over the weekend, US forces intensified the confrontation by launching attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, raising the stakes and drawing international concern.
In a separate statement, the Director General of the UN-backed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, called for Iran to re-engage with global nuclear frameworks. “Resuming cooperation with [the International Atomic Energy Agency] is key to a successful agreement,” he said.
Mr. Grossi noted in a brief post on X that he had offered to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss potential avenues for collaboration, stressing that “this step can lead to a diplomatic solution to the long-standing controversy” over Iran’s nuclear programme.
In another alarming development, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) expressed concern over an alleged Israeli strike on Tehran’s Evin prison—a facility notorious for detaining political dissidents and journalists. OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan stated that under international law, “Evin prison is not a military objective,” and warned that “targeting it constitutes a grave breach of international humanitarian law.”
While OHCHR could not independently confirm the extent of the damage, there were reports of fires and injuries inside the prison. Iranian officials have since announced that inmates were relocated to other prisons across the capital to allow for repairs.
Mr. Al-Kheetan emphasized that all detainees, whether held “arbitrarily” or for “crimes they’ve actually committed,” must be protected under humanitarian law.
The ceasefire brokered by the United States showed signs of holding briefly on Tuesday morning, but renewed attacks have already begun to challenge its effectiveness. Tehran has denied involvement in some of the reported strikes, leaving the international community concerned about a fresh escalation.
With diplomatic tensions running high and civilian lives at continued risk, the United Nations is urging sustained dialogue, respect for humanitarian law, and a renewed focus on regional peacebuilding.
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