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UN reiterates diplomacy, says it will not join Geneva Iran meeting and is updating staff contingency plans
Summary
The United Nations said it will follow but not participate in a Geneva meeting between European ministers and Iran, urged diplomacy as the only path to de-escalation and said contingency planning for staff safety and across-the-board staffing reviews are ongoing.
The United Nations said Wednesday it will not participate in a planned Geneva meeting between the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Iran but will monitor developments, and reiterated that diplomacy is "the only and best way forward," the Spokesperson said.
The Spokesperson said the UN has been in contact with the United States mission in recent days to convey public messages privately and expressed concern about rhetoric that could internationalize the conflict and escalate violence. Asked about reports that the U.S. president had greenlighted a plan to strike Iran, the Spokesperson said the UN has privately passed its public concerns to interlocutors and emphasized the preference for diplomatic solutions.
On internal matters, the Spokesperson said a review process across the UN Secretariat — including in the Secretary-General's own office and the Spokesperson's office — is under way and that no office is exempt from staffing reductions being considered. The Spokesperson also said contingency plans for evacuations or protective measures for UN personnel in the region are being updated and implemented to ensure staff safety.
Background: During questions, reporters asked whether the Secretary-General had sought direct contact with U.S. leadership; the Spokesperson declined to go into hypothetical scenarios and reiterated the UN message calling for a halt to military action and a return to diplomacy.
