Israel Bars U.N. Chief Guterres Over Iran Missile Attack Stance

Israel's foreign minister has barred U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from entering the country, criticizing his failure to condemn Iran's recent missile attack on Israel. Iran launched over 180 missiles during escalating hostilities involving Hezbollah. While many missiles were intercepted, some breached defenses. Guterres condemned the conflict generally but not Iran specifically.

The Israeli foreign minister announced on Wednesday that U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been barred from entering Israel, citing his failure to 'unequivocally' condemn Iran's missile attack on the country.

Iran launched over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday amid escalating hostilities involving Hezbollah, a proxy group in Lebanon. While many missiles were intercepted, some managed to penetrate defenses, yet no casualties were reported. Guterres issued a brief statement condemning the broader conflict in the Middle East without specifically addressing the attack.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz criticized Guterres for his non-specific condemnation, declaring him persona non grata. Katz stated, 'Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran's heinous attack on Israel, as nearly all the countries of the world have done, does not deserve to set foot on Israeli soil. Israel will continue to defend its citizens and uphold its national dignity, with or without Antonio Guterres.'

(With inputs from agencies.)