Brussels, March 20 -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning to both the United States and Israel, urging an immediate end to hostilities in the Middle East that he says are spiralling out of control and causing immense civilian suffering.

In a post on X, Guterres wrote, "I have two clear messages: First, to the United States & Israel: It's high time to end this war that is risking to get out of control, causing immense suffering on civilians, with dramatic effects on the global economy & potentially tragic consequences, especially for the least developed countries.

Second, my message to Iran: Stop attacking your neighbours, they were never parties to the conflict. The Security Council has condemned...