New York, June 22 -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has voiced his concern at strikes carried out by the United States on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling them a "dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge".

In a post on X, the United Nations Chief said that the "use of force" by the United States against Iran is a "direct" threat to international peace and security.

He said that there is a "growing risk" that this conflict could "rapidly" get out of control with "catastrophic" consequences for civilians, the region, and the world.

He called on both countries to de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under the United Nations Charter and other rules of international law.

"I am gravely alarmed by the...