Guyana has expressed deep concern over Israel’s recent airstrike on Iran, warning that the attack risks further destabilising the Middle East and could lead to catastrophic consequences if tensions continue to escalate.
Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting recently, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, condemned the Israeli strike, which reportedly targeted Iranian facilities and resulted in civilian casualties. The incident has since prompted retaliatory drone strikes by Iran against Israel.
“The latest attack by Israel on Iran contravenes the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter,” Rodrigues-Birkett stated. “At a particularly volatile period in the region, the attack risks exacerbating existing tensions in the Middle East and escalating the ongoing crisis.”
Calling for “maximum restraint” by all parties, the Guyanese envoy emphasised the urgent need for diplomacy, dialogue, and adherence to international law. She warned that any further escalation could plunge the region into deeper turmoil or potentially trigger a nuclear catastrophe.
“The world simply cannot afford any miscalculations. The consequences for civilians could be catastrophic,” she said, urging both Israel and Iran to uphold their obligations under international law, including respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and humanitarian principles.
Rodrigues-Birkett also underscored the importance of accountability for violations of international law, cautioning against the normalisation of impunity for such acts.
Reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to the Security Council’s mandate to preserve international peace and security, she added, “The Council must take a united approach to these developments to confront the prospects of outright war in the region and the devastating consequences that would follow.”
Additionally, she called on the international community to redouble its efforts to prevent a wider conflict. “The maintenance of international peace and security requires us all to take decisive action,” she asserted. “Now is the moment.”
The meeting included briefings from Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, who outlined the potential regional and global implications of the military escalation.
