UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern over the continuing escalation in the Middle East and has called on all parties to fully comply with the ceasefire.

Axar.az reports, citing the UN, that the Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated during a briefing.

“The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by continuing escalation in the Middle East, including the strikes by the United States on Iran and the strikes by Iran on neighbouring countries in the Gulf and beyond that are not parties to the conflict, as well as the significant increase in hostile rhetoric," Duharric said.

"He urges the parties to return to the full implementation of the ceasefire and avoid any further deterioration, which, as he told the Security Council yesterday, could trigger a full resumption of the conflict, with unpredictable consequences for the region and the world, especially the most vulnerable countries,” he continued.

“The Secretary-General underscores that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms, in accordance with international law, must be respected. He further calls on all parties to uphold their obligations under international law and to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians,” he added.