The United Nations on Thursday (July 23) warned that the situation in the Middle East is going out of control and pushing the region to the "edge of the unimaginable," as the United States and Iran traded powerful strikes in recent days, escalating tensions in the Gulf region and raising concerns that the conflict could spill over across the wider Gulf.&nbsp;"The situation is getting out of control. It is teetering on the edge of the unimaginable. The region is being pulled into an ever-widening circle of confrontation. One crisis feeds another. One escalation triggers the next," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a Security Council meeting.&nbsp;"As this dynamic spreads, the political objectives are becoming increasingly obscured by the confrontation itself."&nbsp;These statements came as the United States conducted its 12th consecutive night of military strikes against targets in Iran over control of the vital Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation, the Islamic Republic launched a barrage of missiles and drones across Gulf countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and others.&nbsp;The recent flare-up, which ended the fragile ceasefire reached after the signing of the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding between Tehran and Washington in June, led to the deaths of four US service members in Jordan and Iran. On the other hand, at least 50 civilians have been killed and around 500 wounded in the Islamic Republic, the health ministry said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-flew-irgc-men-advisers-and-military-gear-to-yemen-to-bolster-houthis-for-red-sea-blockade-sources-1784820749435">Iran flew IRGC men, advisers and military gear to Yemen, bolstered Houthis for Red Sea blockade: Sources</a>&nbsp;Further complicating the situation, Yemen's Houthi rebels declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia and threatened to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, expanding the regional wartime conflict beyond Hormuz.&nbsp;Donald Trump, meanwhile, warned that the United States treats the Houthis as a direct proxy of Iran. He stated that if the Houthis carry out further attacks, "major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis themselves."&nbsp;The escalation led to a significant surge in crude prices, threatening a wider energy crisis across the world. Brent crude crossed $100 a barrel, while WTI crude surged to $91.50 per barrel.&nbsp;UN Chief repeatedly expressed his concern and called for dialogue and diplomacy amid ongoing escalation between the United States and Iran. Secretary-General António Guterres “remains deeply concerned by the continuing and expanding military escalation between Iran and the United States over the past few days,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists in New York on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The United Nations warned that the escalating US-Iran conflict is creating a cycle of confrontation in which each crisis fuels another and every escalation triggers the next, widening instability across the region.

The United Nations on Thursday (July 23) warned that the situation in the Middle East is going out of control and pushing the region to the "edge of the unimaginable," as the United States and Iran traded powerful strikes in recent days, escalating tensions in the Gulf region and raising concerns that the conflict could spill over across the wider Gulf. "The situation is getting out of control. It is teetering on the edge of the unimaginable. The region is being pulled into an ever-widening circle of confrontation. One crisis feeds another. One escalation triggers the next," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a Security Council meeting. "As this dynamic spreads, the political objectives are becoming increasingly obscured by the confrontation itself." These statements came as the United States conducted its 12th consecutive night of military strikes against targets in Iran over control of the vital Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation, the Islamic Republic launched a barrage of missiles and drones across Gulf countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan and others. The recent flare-up, which ended the fragile ceasefire reached after the signing of the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding between Tehran and Washington in June, led to the deaths of four US service members in Jordan and Iran. On the other hand, at least 50 civilians have been killed and around 500 wounded in the Islamic Republic, the health ministry said. Also Read: Iran flew IRGC men, advisers and military gear to Yemen, bolstered Houthis for Red Sea blockade: Sources Further complicating the situation, Yemen's Houthi rebels declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia and threatened to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, expanding the regional wartime conflict beyond Hormuz. Donald Trump, meanwhile, warned that the United States treats the Houthis as a direct proxy of Iran. He stated that if the Houthis carry out further attacks, "major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis themselves." The escalation led to a significant surge in crude prices, threatening a wider energy crisis across the world. Brent crude crossed $100 a barrel, while WTI crude surged to $91.50 per barrel. UN Chief repeatedly expressed his concern and called for dialogue and diplomacy amid ongoing escalation between the United States and Iran. Secretary-General António Guterres “remains deeply concerned by the continuing and expanding military escalation between Iran and the United States over the past few days,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists in New York on Tuesday.

The United Nations warned that the escalating US-Iran conflict is creating a cycle of confrontation in which each crisis fuels another and every escalation triggers the next, widening instability across the region.

Middle East on ‘edge of unimaginable’ as US-Iran conflict fuels regional tensions: UN

A 42-year-old man carrying a Tibetan flag died as he set himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan on Thursday evening in what appeared to be a protest. The individual identified as Lobga Rangzen, who had reportedly lived in the United States for nearly 20 years. The incident occurred at around 7 pm near the intersection of East 43rd Street and First Avenue in New York City. Rangzen was engulfed in flames as vehicles passing by honked their horns. He later collapsed to the ground, where two first responders doused the flames with fire extinguishers within about 15 seconds. Law enforcement officials confirmed that Rangzen was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Police sealed off the area for investigation, while the Tibetan flag remained at the scene for nearly an hour after the incident. Investigators were also seen collecting documents, including a sheet bearing the slogan "CHINA OUT OF TIBET", a message closely associated with the Tibetan independence movement and the broader Free Tibet campaign.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/religious-places-can-be-acquired-for-public-projects-allahabad-hc-dismisses-daalmandi-plea-1783047011945">Religious places can be acquired for public projects: Allahabad HC dismisses Daalmandi plea</a><h3>The restoration of sovereignty to the Tibet Autonomous Region</h3>Historical data indicates that over 150 people have been documented to have self-immolated within Tibet since March 2009 to protest against what they describe as "Chinese occupation." The larger movement seeks the restoration of sovereignty to the Tibet Autonomous Region and advocates for the return of authority to the Dalai Lama, the highest spiritual leader within Tibetan Buddhism. According to the official website of Free Tibet, "Many of the protesters have shouted slogans while on fire, including calling for the Dalai Lama's long life and his return to Tibet, for the Panchen Lama to be freed, and for human rights and freedom in Tibet." The organisation also states that individuals accused of assisting or encouraging protesters, or sharing information about such incidents internationally, often face severe punishment. The movement continues to oppose Tibet's incorporation into China following the signing of the Seventeen Point Agreement in May 1951, an accord that paved the way for the deployment of the People's Liberation Army into the region under what was described as a peaceful transition.

Rangzen was engulfed in flames as vehicles passing by honked their horns. He later collapsed to the ground, where two first responders doused the flames with fire extinguishers within about 15 seconds.

A 42-year-old man carrying a Tibetan flag died as he set himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan on Thursday evening in what appeared to be a protest. The individual identified as Lobga Rangzen, who had reportedly lived in the United States for nearly 20 years. The incident occurred at around 7 pm near the intersection of East 43rd Street and First Avenue in New York City. Rangzen was engulfed in flames as vehicles passing by honked their horns. He later collapsed to the ground, where two first responders doused the flames with fire extinguishers within about 15 seconds. Law enforcement officials confirmed that Rangzen was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Police sealed off the area for investigation, while the Tibetan flag remained at the scene for nearly an hour after the incident. Investigators were also seen collecting documents, including a sheet bearing the slogan "CHINA OUT OF TIBET", a message closely associated with the Tibetan independence movement and the broader Free Tibet campaign. Also read: Religious places can be acquired for public projects: Allahabad HC dismisses Daalmandi plea The restoration of sovereignty to the Tibet Autonomous Region Historical data indicates that over 150 people have been documented to have self-immolated within Tibet since March 2009 to protest against what they describe as "Chinese occupation." The larger movement seeks the restoration of sovereignty to the Tibet Autonomous Region and advocates for the return of authority to the Dalai Lama, the highest spiritual leader within Tibetan Buddhism. According to the official website of Free Tibet, "Many of the protesters have shouted slogans while on fire, including calling for the Dalai Lama's long life and his return to Tibet, for the Panchen Lama to be freed, and for human rights and freedom in Tibet." The organisation also states that individuals accused of assisting or encouraging protesters, or sharing information about such incidents internationally, often face severe punishment. The movement continues to oppose Tibet's incorporation into China following the signing of the Seventeen Point Agreement in May 1951, an accord that paved the way for the deployment of the People's Liberation Army into the region under what was described as a peaceful transition.

Rangzen was engulfed in flames as vehicles passing by honked their horns. He later collapsed to the ground, where two first responders doused the flames with fire extinguishers within about 15 seconds.

Man sets himself on fire outside UN HQ holding Tibetan flag, dies

WION's exclusive report on protests at UN HQ. Watch video to know more.

WION's exclusive report on protests at UN HQ