Aboul Gheit warned of the region's slide into unprecedented consequences, stressing that hardened positions could lead to catastrophic scenarios from which no party would be immune.

Aboul Gheit emphasized the need for all parties to act responsibly at this critical juncture and work to spare the region disasters whose effects would inevitably last for years.

The Secretary-General noted that the demands of both the US and Iran are unlikely to lead to a settlement, urging mediators to do everything possible to bridge the gap between their positions in order to salvage the situation and spare the entire region the consequences of destruction and devastation. Aboul Gheit stressed that Iranian threats to target vital facilities in Arab countries are unacceptable and condemned outright. He warned Tehran against persisting in its hostile and malicious policies toward the Arab region, and called on Iranian leaders to carefully consider the aftermath of war and the indelible legacy of hatred and animosity that such reckless policies would leave between neighbors.