A statement released by his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, expressed deep concern and urged both parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid a further escalation of tensions.

The head of the United Nations insisted that all security concerns between the two countries must be addressed by peaceful means, through dialogue and cooperation, in accordance with the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and good neighbourly relations.

The reciprocal attacks by Iran and Pakistan reported this week add to a turbulent moment in the Middle East due to the spillover of the conflict in Gaza, a warning repeated by the top UN official since the beginning of the aggression on the enclave.

On Tuesday, Iranian forces claimed to direct attacks against members of the Islamic State and the Israeli spy agency Mossad, involved in a bomb attack in the Iranian city of Kerman two weeks ago.

For its part, Pakistan announced on Wednesday the withdrawal of its ambassador from Tehran and the suspension of all high-level visits following the airstrike on targets in the South Asian nation.

A statement from the Foreign Ministry assured that the country would reserve the right to respond and that responsibility for the consequences would fall directly on Iran.

This Thursday, Pakistan confirmed a missile attack against Iran in response that left at least nine people dead, according to Iranian state media.

ef/lam/ebr