Jerusalem: Israel has declared United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "persona non grata" following his response to Iran's recent missile attack on Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Guterres of failing to condemn the attack explicitly and criticized his stance toward Iran and other groups hostile to Israel.

Katz, in a statement, expressed that Guterres’ inability to directly denounce the attack disqualified him from visiting Israel, stating, "Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran's heinous attack on Israel does not deserve to step foot on Israeli soil." He further accused the UN chief of supporting groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Huthis, describing Guterres as "an anti-Israel Secretary-General" and labeling him a lasting stain on the UN's history.

This diplomatic rift follows an escalation in tensions, with Guterres having condemned the "broadening conflict in the Middle East" but stopping short of naming Iran specifically. The UN chief has consistently called for ceasefires amid ongoing fighting between Israel and militant groups in Gaza and Lebanon.