New York, April 15 -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday strongly reaffirmed the universality of international law, stating that it applies to all States without exception amid rising global tensions and the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

In a post on X, Guterres said," International law applies to all States, without exception. Respect for its rules is not optional. Without it, instability spreads, mistrust deepens & conflicts spiral out of control. This is not the moment to retreat from international law. It is the moment to reaffirm it."

He further emphasised that in an increasingly fragmented world marked by sharper power competition, international law remains indispensable.

"In a world moving toward gre...