UN Secretary-General: "Geopolitical Tensions at Highest Level in This Century"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on the 6th (local time) that "geopolitical tensions are at their highest level in this century" amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran and the spreading crisis in the Middle East, according to major foreign media.

At the UN headquarters on the same day, Secretary-General Guterres told reporters, "The new year has started with chaos," adding, "As more countries make unpredictable decisions amid rising tensions, this could lead to unpredictable outcomes and a significant risk of miscalculation," urging the parties involved to engage in dialogue and ease tensions.

On the 3rd, after Qasem Soleimani, a powerful Iranian military commander, was killed in a U.S. airstrike, Iran warned of retaliation against the United States and declared that it was effectively withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action).

In response, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he is prepared to retaliate against 52 targets if Iran carries out retaliatory attacks.

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