UN human rights chief fears wider regional conflict around Iran

UN Human Rights – (Web Desk) -The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Turk, said on Friday that he is “extremely alarmed” by the growing risk of a wider regional conflict involving Iran, especially with repeated threats of possible US military strikes. Speaking at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, he warned that any military escalation could have serious consequences for civilians across the region.

Turk expressed hope that calm and diplomacy would prevail during this tense period. His remarks came as Iran and the United States held another round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva, viewed as a final effort to prevent open conflict between the two longtime rivals.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump recently gave Tehran a 15-day deadline to reach an agreement, as Washington continues what is described as its largest military build-up in the Middle East in decades.

Turk also raised concerns about the situation inside Iran, pointing to a recent nationwide crackdown on protests. According to rights groups, thousands of people were reportedly killed during the government’s response, further deepening worries about human rights and stability in the country.

“The situation in Iran remains volatile” after that crackdown, Turk told the council, pointing out that “recent days have seen a new wave of protests at universities, making it clear that the underlying grievances remain”.

“There are continued reports of repression, including arrests and pressure on academic spaces,” he said, highlighting that “thousands of people are still missing”.

Turk also said he was “horrified by reports that at least eight people, including two children, have been sentenced to death in connection with the protests”.

“Another 30 are reportedly at risk of the same sentence. I urge independent, impartial, and transparent investigations, fair trial guarantees, and an immediate moratorium on the death penalty.”