The United Nations has issued a stern condemnation of the recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, warning that the move represents a severe escalation in an already volatile region and poses a direct threat to international peace and security.

The statement comes in response to airstrikes ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump, who confirmed on Sunday that American forces had targeted three critical Iranian nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

Trump’s announcement marked a sharp reversal after earlier efforts to distance the U.S. from Israel’s ongoing confrontation with Iran. He also warned that Iran “will get hit again” if it refuses to pursue peace.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern over the developments, urging all parties to step back from the brink.

“I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today,” Guterres posted on X. “This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.”

He further warned that the conflict risks spiraling beyond control: “There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world.”

Guterres appealed to all actors involved to exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that could trigger wider violence.

The U.S. strikes follow a dramatic escalation in hostilities between Israel and Iran. On June 13, Israel launched a large-scale offensive targeting Iran’s military infrastructure, including key nuclear sites and high-ranking commanders.

In retaliation, Iran fired a wave of missiles into Israeli territory, resulting in at least three deaths and over 20 injuries in the Coastal Plains region.

Tensions have reached new heights, with both countries trading accusations of provocation and issuing warnings of further retaliation. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed that Israel’s actions “will not go unanswered,” raising concerns of a protracted and widening conflict.

The international community has voiced growing alarm, with calls for urgent diplomacy to de-escalate the crisis. Analysts warn that if left unchecked, the current trajectory could ignite a broader regional war, destabilizing the Middle East and beyond.