‘The world cannot afford another war’ — Guterres condemns Iran-Israel conflict

Antonio Guterres, United Nations secretary-general, has condemned the missile attack on Israel by Iran.

On Saturday, Iran launched a drone and missile attack on Israel in a reprisal move. The attack from Iran was the first time it has targeted Israel directly from Iranian soil.

Israel had said alongside allies, it intercepted more than 300 Iranian drones and missiles.

Nigeria, France, Germany, UK, and the US have condemned the attack.

In a statement, Guterres appealed for maximum restraint from all parties and said he was deeply alarmed by the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation.

“I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East,” he said.

“I have repeatedly stressed that neither the region nor the world can afford another war. I call for an immediate cessation of these hostilities.”

In a separate statement, Dennis Francis, president of the UN general assembly, also expressed concerns over the unfolding conflict in the Middle East.

Francis said Iran had explained its action “in the context of article 51 of the UN Charter, following the recent Israeli attack on the Iranian Embassy in Damascus”.

“The Iranian response compounds the already tense and delicate peace and security situation in the Middle East,” the statement reads.

He asked all parties to exercise the utmost restraint to avoid further escalation of tension in the region, adding that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way to resolve differences.

“This is a moment that calls for wise and prudent judgement, in which the risks and extended risks are very carefully considered,” Francis said in the statement.

“I expect that the Iranian authorities will honour their word that by their action today, the matter can be deemed concluded.

“A vicious cycle of attack and counterattack will lead to nowhere, but inevitably, to more death, suffering and misery.”