Israel has criticised United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres after he met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, accusing the UN chief of overlooking what it described as Tehran’s repression of its own people.
Mr Guterres met President Pezeshkian on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
According to the UN, the discussions focused on the humanitarian and economic consequences of the conflict involving Iran, as well as the need for diplomacy and respect for international law.
However, Israeli officials questioned the absence of any public reference to Iran’s treatment of protesters, alleged torture, executions and other human rights concerns in the official account of the meeting.
Israel accused the UN secretary-general of giving insufficient attention to what it considers serious abuses by the Iranian authorities.
The criticism comes amid heightened tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States, with military confrontations and diplomatic efforts continuing to dominate the region.
Reports from human rights organisations cited by US media indicate that thousands of people have been detained in Iran following nationwide protests, while concerns have also been raised over executions and alleged mistreatment of detainees.
Mr Guterres has repeatedly called for diplomacy and adherence to international law as the conflict has intensified. His meeting with President Pezeshkian comes at a particularly sensitive time, with Tehran maintaining that it remains open to negotiations under certain conditions.
President Pezeshkian said on Tuesday that Iran would reciprocate if the United States honoured commitments under an interim agreement reached in June, while also stressing the importance of peace and negotiations.
The latest dispute further highlights the diplomatic challenges facing the UN as it attempts to engage all sides in the increasingly volatile Middle East crisis.
Israel’s criticism is likely to add to the pressure on Mr Guterres, particularly as the UN faces growing demands to address both the humanitarian consequences of the conflict and allegations of human rights abuses inside Iran.
