The United Nations Security Council will convene an emergency meeting on Saturday following military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, a development that has sharply escalated tensions in the Middle East.
UN diplomats said the 15-member council will meet at 4 p.m. local time (2100 GMT) in New York. Britain, which holds the rotating presidency of the council this month, will chair the session.
Russia’s UN mission said Moscow and Beijing requested the emergency meeting in response to what it described as an “unprovoked act of armed aggression” by the United States and Israel against Iran. According to the Russian statement, France, Bahrain, and Colombia also supported the call for the session.
“During the Security Council meeting, we will demand from the United States and Israel to immediately cease their illegal and escalatory actions and embark on a path toward a political and diplomatic settlement,” the Russian mission said.
A UN diplomat said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to address the council during the meeting.
Earlier on Saturday, Guterres condemned the military escalation, warning that the use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, followed by Iran’s retaliation across the region, threatens international peace and security.
“I call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation. Failing to do so risks a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability,” Guterres said, urging all parties to return to negotiations without delay.