In a statement released by his spokesperson, Guterres insisted on the inviolability of diplomatic venues “in all cases” in compliance with international and humanitarian law.

Guterres lamented the loss of human lives and reaffirmed his call to avoid attacks that might harm civilians or infrastructure.

The UN chief also called for maximum restraint to stop the spread of the current escalation of violence. Any miscalculation might lead to a broader conflict in an already volatile region, with devastating consequences for civilians who are already seeing unprecedented suffering in Syria, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory and the wider Middle East.

According to diplomatic sources, seven military advisors from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and six Syrians were slaughtered during Israel’s bombing on the Iranian consulate building in Damascus on Monday.

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