Middle East 'on the brink' of 'full-scale conflict' UN chief warns

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a warning on X social media calling for world powers to "step back from the brink".

"The Middle East is on the brink," Guterres said. "The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict."

"Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate. Now is the time for maximum restraint. Now is the time to step back from the brink."