India Can Play Key Role as UN Calls for Ceasefire Amid Escalating Iran–Israel War

New Delhi: The United Nations Human Rights Office has warned that the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel is rapidly intensifying and could trigger serious humanitarian, economic and global repercussions. The UN has urged an immediate ceasefire and called on influential nations, including India, to step up diplomatic efforts to help defuse the crisis.

Speaking to IANS, UN Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said the organisation had already raised concerns about the possibility of a conflict months before hostilities erupted.

“We had been warning about this for several months. In fact, just a week before the war began, our monitoring showed there was a heightened risk of conflict and hostilities,” she said.

According to the UN Human Rights Office, the situation has now expanded beyond initial confrontations and involves multiple actors across the region. Shamdasani noted that the escalation followed attacks involving Israel, Iran and the United States, triggering retaliatory strikes and broader hostilities that have affected neighbouring countries.

“This is an unfolding catastrophe before our very eyes, and it was entirely avoidable,” she said.

The UN said it is closely tracking developments in countries such as Lebanon, Iran and Israel, while also monitoring the wider global impact, including rising fuel prices, disruption of humanitarian aid and economic challenges faced by migrant workers in Gulf nations.

Shamdasani stressed that countries with global influence — including India — could play a constructive role in bringing the conflict to an end.

“India, along with other influential countries, can recommit to the UN Charter and insist on bringing this conflict to an end,” she said, urging world leaders to promote dialogue, negotiations and adherence to international law.

The UN also expressed alarm over reports that a strike hit a girls’ school in Minab, leading to the deaths of a large number of students.

“This is absolutely horrific,” Shamdasani said.

According to preliminary reports cited by the UN Human Rights Office, more than 100 students — around 160 girls — were killed during school hours, raising serious concerns about possible violations of international humanitarian law.

“This could amount to a grave violation of international law. We are calling for a prompt investigation and full accountability,” she added, stressing that the victims’ families deserve transparency.

Shamdasani emphasised that international humanitarian law requires all parties in a conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

“Even wars have laws. Parties to a conflict must do their utmost to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure,” she said.

She warned that attacks on schools, hospitals, desalination plants and other civilian facilities could constitute war crimes if deliberately targeted.

Reiterating the UN’s position, she said the message to governments involved in the conflict is clear: an immediate ceasefire is essential.

“There needs to be a ceasefire. Everyone should be working toward this goal. The current cycle of attacks and counterattacks is harming civilians and cannot serve long-term security objectives,” she said.

The UN Human Rights Office stressed that sustained diplomacy and international pressure are critical to securing a ceasefire and preventing further civilian casualties as the conflict continues to intensify across the region.

With inputs from IANS