Guterres urges ‘give peace a chance' in Israel-Iran conflict
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Friday that expansion of the Israel-Iran conflict could ignite a fire no one can control and called on parties to conflict and potential parties to the conflict to 'give peace a chance.'
Israel slams UN rights council for giving floor to Iran ahead of nuclear talks
Guteres made the remarks to the United Nations Security Council as European foreign ministers met their Iranian counterpart on Friday hoping to test Tehran's readiness to negotiate a new nuclear deal despite there being scant prospect of Israel ceasing its attacks soon.
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Express Tribune
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Europe pushes diplomatic solution to Iran-Israel war in Geneva
Mourners attend a funeral for those killed in Israeli strikes on Iran, in Qazvin, Iran, June 19, 2025. PHOTO:REUTERS Listen to article European powers hoped to offer a "diplomatic solution" as they met with Iran in Geneva on Friday, according to French President Emmanuel Macron, as Israel again came under Iranian missile fire. The meeting, which is expected to focus on Iran's nuclear programme, comes as US President Donald Trump mulls the prospect of entering the war between the two foes. Israel, saying Iran was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons, launched a massive wave of strikes a week ago, triggering an immediate retaliation from Tehran. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot will meet his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Geneva "to make a complete diplomatic and technical offer for negotiations", Macron told reporters. France and its allies Germany and Britain were "putting a diplomatic solution on the table", he added. On the ground, Israel's military said it struck dozens of targets in Tehran overnight, including what it called a centre for the "research and development of Iran's nuclear weapons project". In Israel, sirens sounded in the afternoon after missiles were launched from Iran for the second time on Friday, and rescuers reported two injured, including a 16-year-old in serious condition. A military official said that "approximately 20 missiles were launched towards Israel" in the latest salvo. On Iranian state TV, a news anchor described footage of "Iranian missiles arriving" in the sky over Israel, as the channel broadcast the footage with military music playing in the background. Trump has said he would decide "within the next two weeks" whether to involve the United States in the fighting. Israel, the United States and other Western powers accuse Iran of seeking an atomic weapon, a charge that it denies. Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy said "a window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution", while agreeing with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that "Iran can never develop or acquire a nuclear weapon". France's foreign ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine said that "military solutions are not long-term solutions" to ensure Iran respects its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran's Araghchi, however, rejected any prospect of talks with the United States so long as Israel continues its attacks. Addressing the UN Human Rights Council on Friday, Araghchi said Israel's attacks were a "betrayal" of diplomatic efforts to reach a nuclear deal between Tehran and Washington. "We were attacked in the midst of an ongoing diplomatic process," he said. In an interview with German publication Bild, Israel's top diplomat Gideon Saar said he did not "particularly" believe in diplomacy with Iran. "All diplomatic efforts so far have failed," said Saar, whose country had supported Trump's 2018 decision to abandon a previous nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers. The Iranians, according to Saar, have used negotiations "to gain time while making progress (in their nuclear programme), and I don't think they've changed their nature". The UN Security Council is also due to convene on Friday for a second session on the conflict, which was requested by Iran with support from Russia, China and Pakistan, a diplomat told AFP on Wednesday. The escalating confrontation is quickly reaching "the point of no return", Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Friday, saying "this madness must end as soon as possible". UN chief Antonio Guterres meanwhile pleaded with all sides to "give peace a chance". The International Atomic Energy Agency said that while Iran is the only country without nuclear weapons to enrich uranium to 60 percent, there was no evidence it had all the components to make a functioning nuclear warhead. "So, saying how long it would take for them, it would be pure speculation because we do not know whether there was somebody... secretly pursuing these activities," the agency's chief Rafael Grossi told CNN. "We haven't seen that and we have to say it." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Iran could produce an atomic bomb in "a couple of weeks". "If there's a chance for diplomacy the president's always going to grab it, but he's not afraid to use strength as well," Leavitt said. Any US involvement in Israel's campaign would be expected to involve the bombing of a crucial underground nuclear facility in Fordo, using powerful bunker-busting bombs that no other country possesses. In Iran, people fleeing Israel's attacks described frightening scenes and difficult living conditions, including food shortages and limited internet access. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said authorities had restricted internet access to avoid "problems" like cyberattacks. Protests broke out in Tehran and other cities after Friday prayers, with demonstrators chanting slogans in support of their leaders, state television showed. "I will sacrifice my life for my leader," read a protester's banner, a reference to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Switzerland announced Friday the temporary closure of its embassy in Tehran, adding that it would continue to fulfil its role representing US interests in Iran, while the United Kingdom announced it was withdrawing its embassy staff. The death toll in Israel from Iranian missile strikes since June 13 was 25 people, according to authorities. Iran said on Sunday that Israeli strikes had killed at least 224 people, including military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians.
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Rubio praises Pakistan's regional peace efforts in call with PM Shehbaz
A telephonic conversation was held between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on June 20, 2025. Photo: AFP/ APP Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, during which both sides discussed a wide range of regional and global issues in what was described as a cordial and friendly atmosphere. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the PM underscored that the escalating Iran-Israel crisis could only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. Prime Minister speaks with the U.S. Secretary of State Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, this evening. During their warm and cordial conversation, the Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes for President… — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) June 20, 2025 He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to playing a constructive role in all peace efforts amid a situation that poses serious concerns not only for the region but for the world at large. PM Shehbaz conveyed his best wishes for US President Donald Trump and lauded his courageous leadership. He also appreciated Rubio's active diplomacy, particularly his role in facilitating the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India. Highlighting Trump's positive statements on Pakistan, the PM called them encouraging steps toward long-term peace in South Asia. He stressed that sustainable peace could only be achieved through meaningful dialogue between Pakistan and India. In this context, he reiterated Pakistan's readiness to engage in talks with India on all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, the Indus Waters Treaty, trade, and counterterrorism cooperation. Read: Trump calls meeting COAS Munir an honour at White House luncheon The situation in the Middle East also featured prominently in the discussion. PM Shehbaz reiterated that the only viable solution lies in peaceful dialogue and diplomatic engagement. He reaffirmed Pakistan's willingness to play a constructive role in defusing tensions. On economic matters, he referred to Trump's interest in strengthening bilateral trade and expressed Pakistan's desire to expand cooperation with the United States in key sectors such as trade, investment, energy, minerals, rare earth elements, and information technology. Reaffirming Pakistan's resolve to eradicate terrorism, the PM spoke about ongoing efforts to eliminate the threat posed by extremist groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and others. Read More: Field Marshal Munir engages US think tanks on Pakistan's role in global peace In response, Rubio appreciated Pakistan's counterterrorism efforts and assured the United States' full support in this regard. PM Shehbaz also expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the recent meeting between Trump and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir in Washington describing it as both pleasant and productive. Both sides agreed on the need to translate the recent progress in bilateral dialogue into concrete, practical cooperation across all areas of mutual interest. PM Shehbaz stressed the importance of maintaining high-level contacts and extended a renewed invitation to Trump to undertake an official visit to Pakistan. He expressed eagerness to meet with the US president soon and invited Rubio to visit Pakistan in the near future as well. Also Read: UN chief urges parties to 'give peace a chance' on Iran-Israel war In closing, US secretary of state thanked the PM for taking his call and expressed the United States' strong desire to deepen cooperation with Pakistan across all areas of shared interest. He also acknowledged Pakistan's continued efforts in maintaining the ceasefire with India and playing a positive role in promoting peace, particularly given its strong relations with Iran. Rubio emphasised that the United States remains committed to working closely with Pakistan to promote both regional and global peace and stability.
Business Recorder
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Guterres urges ‘give peace a chance' in Israel-Iran conflict
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Friday that expansion of the Israel-Iran conflict could ignite a fire no one can control and called on parties to conflict and potential parties to the conflict to 'give peace a chance.' Israel slams UN rights council for giving floor to Iran ahead of nuclear talks Guteres made the remarks to the United Nations Security Council as European foreign ministers met their Iranian counterpart on Friday hoping to test Tehran's readiness to negotiate a new nuclear deal despite there being scant prospect of Israel ceasing its attacks soon.
