Antonio Guterres, UN 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 by
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.”
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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.”