This is an entry from: Live: Iran holds funeral for top military, nuclear figures killed in Israeli strikes
UN rights chief urges Israel and Iran to de-escalate, protect civilians
16 June 2025 12:28 BST
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk has raised alarm over the escalating confrontation between Israel and Iran, urging both sides to pursue immediate diplomatic talks to prevent further bloodshed.
“The military escalation between Israel and Iran is deeply worrying,” Turk said as he delivered his annual address to the 59th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday.
He called for “urgent diplomatic negotiations to end these attacks and find a way forward” and stressed the need to uphold international law, especially in protecting civilians caught in densely populated areas.