NEW YORK (WAM)

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep alarm over the recent escalation of tensions in the Middle East, following overnight Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets.

"Following the attacks overnight by Israel on targets in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the UN Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by the continued escalation in the Middle East. All acts of escalation are condemnable and must stop," said Stéphane Dujarric, the Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

He added that the UN Chief urgently reiterates his appeal to all parties to cease all military actions, including in Gaza and Lebanon, exert maximum efforts to prevent an all-out regional war and return to the path of diplomacy.