United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on 9 June expressed deep alarm over the renewed escalation in West Asia, calling on all parties to immediately halt attacks, exercise maximum restraint, and avoid any action that could further destabilise an already volatile region. The appeal came in the wake of a fresh exchange of strikes between Israel and Iran on Monday, marking one of the most serious flare-ups between the two countries in recent months.

What the UN Said

Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, conveyed Guterres's position in an official statement, urging all parties to fully honour the existing ceasefires in Lebanon, Iran, and Gaza. Guterres also pressed for the protection of navigational rights and freedoms in accordance with international law, and called on all sides to take every feasible precaution to safeguard civilian lives.

'The Secretary General reiterates that there is no military solution to the conflicts in the Middle East. The only way forward is through dialogue and negotiations. He therefore urges all concerned parties to work towards diplomatic solutions that advance regional and international peace and security,' Haq said in the statement.

Gaza Crossings Closure Draws UN Rebuke

Guterres separately expressed concern over Israel's decision to close crossings into Gaza, calling for their immediate reopening. 'He reiterates his call for the immediate reopening of all crossings to ensure the rapid, safe and unhindered passage of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout Gaza,' Haq said. The closure has raised fears of a worsening humanitarian crisis in the territory, where aid access has already been severely constrained.

The Iran-Israel Exchange

The UN chief's appeal followed a sharp military exchange on Monday. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it had struck 'several targets' at the petrochemical complex in Iran's Mahshahr area. In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its aerospace forces targeted two 'important and strategic' Israeli air bases — Nevatim and Tel Nof — in retaliation for Israeli missile strikes on radar sites across three Iranian locations.

The IRGC, in a statement on its official outlet Sepah News, said all its combat and operational units remained ready to carry out operations on all fronts. Explosions were reportedly heard in Tehran and two other provinces early Monday, according to reports citing the semi-official Fars news agency. One explosion was reported west of Tehran, two in the central province of Isfahan, and one near Tabriz, the capital of the northwestern East Azarbaijan province.

Netanyahu Puts Attack 'On Hold'

Later on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the attack against Iran was 'on hold,' but issued a stern warning. 'At the moment, the fire is on hold because after ... it (Iran) stopped attacking us,' Netanyahu said in his first televised statement, delivered more than 20 hours after Iran first launched missiles at Israel on Sunday night. He added that if Iran 'makes the mistake of attacking us again, we will respond with force.' Netanyahu reportedly ordered the military to strike military and economic targets across Iran on Monday.

Shortly after, Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters — the country's main military command — announced the cessation of Iranian armed forces' operations against Israel, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. The headquarters warned, however, that any further Israeli 'aggression and malicious acts,' including in southern Lebanon, would trigger a 'severe and crushing' response.

What Comes Next

With both sides claiming a pause rather than a resolution, the situation in West Asia remains on a knife's edge. Diplomatic channels are under intense pressure, and the UN's call for restraint reflects a broader international anxiety that any miscalculation could rapidly escalate into a wider regional conflict. All eyes are now on whether the fragile halt holds — and whether the humanitarian corridors into Gaza can be restored before the next crisis point.