UNITED NATIONS, April 13 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis on Saturday called on all parties concerned to exercise utmost restraint amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel.
Strongly condemning the "large-scale attack" launched on Israel by Iran, Guterres called for maximum restraint by all parties and warned that "neither the region nor the world can afford another war."
"I call for an immediate cessation of these hostilities," said Guterres in a statement on Saturday evening, shortly after Iran reportedly launched hundreds of drone and missile attacks against Israel.
The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting for 4 p.m. local time (1200 GMT) Sunday to discuss the latest flare-up in the region.
"The Iranian response compounds the already tense and delicate peace and security situation in the Middle East," said Francis in a separate statement, calling on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint to avoid further escalation of tension in the region.
Iran's UN mission said Saturday that the attack on Israel "can be deemed concluded."
Conducted on the strength of Article 51 of the UN Charter pertaining to legitimate defense, Iran's military action was in response to Israel's aggression against Iran's diplomatic premises in Damascus, the mission said on social media X.
"However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran's response will be considerably more severe," it warned. ■
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Maryland ban on rifles known as assault weapons
After Berlin, Zelensky signs French security pact amid Navalny shock
Go on holiday for just £6.40 with the Mail experts' guide to the best bargain trips
I took a flight from Bristol to Edinburgh instead of getting the train
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Maryland ban on rifles known as assault weapons
Best bank accounts: Top current accounts for interest and rewards
New wonders of the world! The crowd
New York bill could repeal 1907 law that criminalizes adultery
Revealed: Brit tourist, 19, subjected to sex attack in Majorca 'was gang
With a wet Easter looming, we round up the 20 best last
Devout Christian doctor, 68, who punched dementia
Xi Jinping arrives in Hong Kong for July 1 celebrations, makes first visit to city since 2017