UN chief, Saudi Arabia condemn military escalation in Middle East

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned military escalation in the Middle East while Saudi Arabia strongly slammed the blatant Israeli aggressions against Iran early Friday.

Addressing the Israeli attack on Iran, Guterres said that: "I condemn any military escalation in the Middle East," according to his deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.

"I am particularly concerned about Israeli attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran, at a time when contacts are taking place between Iran and the United States regarding the status of the Iranian nuclear program," Guterres said. "I remind UN member states of their obligation to act in accordance with the UN Charter and international law."

Guterres called for maximum restraint on all sides to prevent an escalation from happening, according to Farhan Haq.

In Riyadh, a statement from Saudi Foreign Ministry said: The Kingdom "expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms."

The statement, released by the Saudi Press Agency, also affirms "that the international community and the Security Council bears a "great responsibility to halt this immediate aggression".