Sri Lanka, June 22 -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the "dangerous escalation" of the Iran conflict through US bombing of nuclear sites in that country can catastrophically get out of control.

Taking to social media ahead of US President Donald Trump's televised address, the Secretary-General said, "I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge - and a direct threat to international peace and security.

"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 Member States to de-escalate and to ...