UN chief calls for restraint amid rise in global tensions

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern Monday over rising global discord and called for "maximum restraint" amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran after the United States killed an Iranian military commander.

"The New Year has begun with our world in turmoil," Guterres said in brief remarks at the UN headquarters in New York.

"We are living in dangerous times. Geopolitical tensions are at their highest level this century. And this turbulence is escalating." Guterres did not explicitly mention the rising tensions in the Middle East following the US killing of Qasem Soleimani, head of Iran's Middle East operations, in a drone strike.

But his remarks appeared aimed, at least in part, at the two sides.

"This cauldron of tensions is leading more and more countries to take unpredicted decisions with unpredictable consequences and a profound risk of miscalculation," Guterres said.

He added that he had been following the recent rise in global tensions ...