UN chief condemns attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran-US escalation

Update

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said attacks on civilian infrastructure are unacceptable.

UN spokesman Farhan Haq said Guterres remained deeply concerned by the continuing military escalation between Iran and the United States.

The source says the United States has not confirmed Iran's allegations that it targeted civilian sites.

Source note: AFP news report published on 17 July 2026 at 16:53:22 UTC.

Update

The United States and Iran traded drone and missile strikes on Friday in what the source described as the biggest escalation since the two sides returned to outright war.

Iran accused US forces of hitting civilian infrastructure, including an airport, a railway station and two bridges.

Iranian state media reported at least eight people dead and 20 wounded from the alleged US strikes.

Iran's energy ministry urged citizens to reduce power use after it said US strikes on energy facilities strained the grid.

Iran's health ministry said at least 38 people had been killed and more than 400 injured in Iran since fighting resumed.

Iran's Guards said they attacked US radar systems and military aircraft in Qatar, radar sites in Oman and the Al-Tanf base in Syria, while a Syrian military source denied an attack at Al-Tanf and US forces said they had left the base earlier in the year.

Jordan's military said it shot down three Iranian missiles, and Kurdish forces in Iraq said the US-led coalition shot down several drones over Erbil.

An Iranian Kurdish opposition group said strikes in Iraq's Kurdistan region killed nine of its members and blamed Iran.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said a tanker was struck by a projectile off Oman overnight.

China and Pakistan's foreign ministers called for the United States and Iran to stop fighting and resume talks.

Source note: AFP news report published on 17 July 2026 at 15:13:07 UTC.

Update

Kuwait said an Iranian drone attack on army facilities and camps wounded several military personnel.

Kuwait's electricity ministry said an attack on a power and water distillation plant caused a fire, damage and the impairment of several production units.

Kuwait's electricity ministry called on users to ration electricity during what it called an exceptional period.

Iranian state TV reported that Tehran said it sent drones to Kuwait to target sites where US forces are deployed and logistical support centres.

Bahrain's military said it intercepted and destroyed several Iranian aerial attacks, and an AFP journalist in Manama heard several explosions after sirens sounded.

Qatar's interior ministry said a child was injured by falling debris after a missile interception.

Iran's Guards said they targeted US radar systems and military aircraft in Qatar following overnight US strikes on Iran.

Source note: AFP news report published on 17 July 2026 at 13:54:12 UTC.

Update

Kuwait's electricity ministry called on users to ration electricity during the exceptional period.

Kuwait earlier said it was facing drone and missile attacks that it blamed on Iran.

Iran said it sent drones to Kuwait in response to US strikes and said the targets were US force deployment sites and logistical support centres.

Bahrain's military said it intercepted and destroyed several Iranian aerial attacks.

An AFP journalist in Manama heard several explosions after warning sirens were triggered.

Iranian state media reported that Tehran had targeted US helicopters and planes at an airbase in Bahrain.

Qatar's defence ministry said the army intercepted a missile attack.

AFP journalists in Doha heard several blasts.

Qatar's interior ministry said a child was injured by falling debris after the missile interception.

Source note: AFP news report published on 17 July 2026 at 09:44:08 UTC.

Update

Kuwait's electricity ministry said one power and water distillation plant was targeted.

The ministry said the attack caused a fire and damage.

The ministry said several production units were impaired.

The ministry urged users to ration electricity consumption during what it called an exceptional period.

Source note: AFP news report published on 17 July 2026 at 09:32:28 UTC.