UN Human Rights Chief Warns Attack Near Iran Nuclear Site Risks Disaster

JAKARTA - The head of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights (UN) on Wednesday warned that attacks around Iran and Israel's nuclear sites risked triggering a "major disaster", warning that war in the Middle East had created a "very dangerous" situation.

Speaking before the U.N. Human Rights Council, where countries are holding an urgent debate on Tehran's attacks across the Gulf, Volker Turk warned the many strikes in the weeks-long war "raise serious concerns under international law."

In particular, Turk warned that "recent missile attacks near nuclear sites in Israel and Iran underscore the grave danger of further escalation."

"Countries are playing with a big disaster," Turk said, launching Al Arabiya from AFP (26/3).

His comments came after the U.N. nuclear watchdog said Iran had notified it of "another projectile hitting the site" of the Bushehr nuclear power plant on Tuesday, without damaging it.

Over the weekend, Iranian attacks hit the southern Israeli city of Dimona, home to a nuclear facility, which Tehran said was in response to a previous attack on its nuclear site at Natanz.

"The situation is very dangerous and unpredictable, and has created chaos throughout the region," Turk said, stressing "we cannot go back to war as a tool of international relations."

Turkey also warned, "this conflict has an unprecedented power to ensnare countries in various countries and around the world."

"Complex dynamics can trigger further national, regional, or global crises at any time, with dire consequences for civilians and people everywhere," he explained.

The rare urgent debate at the human rights council, requested by Bahrain on behalf of six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Jordan, focused exclusively on Iran's attacks on countries across the Gulf region and their impact on civilians.

In the debate, which Tehran called "out of touch with reality," the 47-nation council was considering a draft resolution "condemning in the strongest terms" the "heinous attack" by Iran, condemning Tehran's actions aimed at closing the Strait of Hormuz, and expressing "deep concern over Iran's attacks on energy infrastructure."

The resolution demands that Iran "cease all unprovoked attacks" against the GCC countries and Jordan, and "provide full, adequate, effective, and immediate compensation for all losses and damages caused by wrongful acts in violation of international law."

However, the draft resolution does not mention Israel or the United States.