Dhaka, Feb. 28 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the recent military escalation in the Middle East, noting that US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Iran's retaliatory attacks undermine international peace and security.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the secretary-general expressed grave concern over the direct confrontation, emphasising that the use of force by all involved parties threatens the stability of the entire region.

He reminded all member states to uphold their obligations under international law, including the UN Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against any nation's territorial integrity or political independence.

Guterres underscored that any military action inconsistent with the ...