Guterres, while calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, stated that neither the Middle East nor the world at large can afford another war.
'I am deeply alarmed about 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,' the UN boss said in a statement shared on Sunday morning.
He added, 'I have repeatedly stressed that neither the region nor the world can afford another war.'
Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles against Israel on Saturday night in a retaliatory attack, which the country has attributed to an Israeli raid on the Iranian consulate in Syria a fortnight ago.
The country on Sunday urged Israel not to retaliate, saying 'the matter can be deemed concluded."
Iran, while acknowledging its commitment to resolving the conflict amicably, warned that any further provocations would result in a severe response.
'The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent right of self-defense when required. Should the Israeli regime commit any military aggression again, Iran's response will assuredly and decisively be stronger, and more resolute,' Iran's Mission to the United Nations warned even as it accused the UN Security Council of failing to stop Israel's aggression, which claimed the lives of seven Iranian senior military personnel.
Foiled
Israel's army on Sunday declared the Iran attacks "foiled", insisting that it had shot down 99 percent of the drones and missiles with the help of the United States and other allies.
US President Joe Biden also condemned the Iranian drone attacks on military facilities in Israel and vowed to convene a G7 leaders meeting to deliberate over the matter on Sunday.
'Tomorrow, I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran's brazen attack,' Biden stated, further affirming America's 'ironclad commitment' to the security of Israel.
Iran's attack mirrors that of Israel-Hamas war which started on October 7, 2023.
Hamas launched missile attacks on Israel, saying the attack was in response to the continued Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, the blockade of the Gaza Strip, the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements, threats to the status of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the plight of Palestinian refugees and prisoners.
The world is also reeling from the effects of the two-year fighting between Russia and Ukraine.
The war started following Russia's invasion, which began with dozens of missile strikes on cities all over Ukraine before dawn on 24 February 2022.
Some of the global impacts of the conflict include an increase in the prices of commodities such as food and fuel, exacerbating the already soaring inflation.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
