UN Secretary-General Guterres warns nuclear weapons risk at highest level in decades

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the dream of global peace faces serious threats, with the risk of nuclear weapons use reaching its highest level in decades.

In a statement released on Thursday, March 5, Guterres said rising global tensions have driven military spending to unprecedented levels. He noted that the spread of small arms and light weapons, along with emerging technologies, has made conflicts more lethal.

Guterres warned that world leaders must prevent further escalation and cease threats of nuclear weapons use. He urged governments to halt arms races and redirect investments from military arsenals to strengthening peace structures and trust among nations.

The UN chief emphasized that fulfilling disarmament commitments and bolstering non-proliferation systems could avert major catastrophes and foster a safer world.

Khaama Press reported this against a backdrop of sharpened tensions in recent weeks, including military exchanges involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. It cited reports of Iranian missile attacks on Israel killing at least 11 people and injuring over 1,000 others, as well as strikes attributed to the US and Israel on Iranian targets causing dozens of deaths and many wounded, according to Iranian authorities.

Guterres called for prioritizing diplomacy and restraint to avoid deepening the conflict and threatening wider regional stability.