UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is concerned about Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and calls on countries to exercise maximum restraint, said the deputy spokesman for the head of the World Organization, Farhan Haq.
"The Secretary-General condemns any military escalation in the Middle East. "He is concerned about Israel's attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran, while Iran and the United States are negotiating over Iran's nuclear program," the statement said.
“The Secretary-General calls on both sides to exercise maximum restraint and avoid escalation at all costs,“ said Haq.
Earlier this morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the start of Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iran's nuclear program. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called the actions a "preemptive strike" and warned his compatriots of the threat of a possible retaliatory attack from Tehran.
According to Iranian media, explosions were heard in a number of cities in the country, including the capital. According to Reuters, possible victims of the strikes include the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Mohammad Bagheri. According to the Iranian news agency Tasnim, IRGC commander Hossein Salami was also killed.