The United Nations (UN) Security Council will hold an emergency meeting later on Saturday in New York, United States following escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The session is scheduled for 21:00 UK time (16:00 ET). Bahrain, Colombia, China, Russia and France requested the meeting.

The development follows a condemnation by UN Secretary General António Guterres over “today’s military action in the Middle East”.

In a statement, he had said that the actions undermine international peace and security and called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities”.

The meeting comes after the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes on Iran on Saturday, significantly escalating months of tension over Tehran’s nuclear programme, regional influence and stalled diplomatic negotiations.

Tribune Online reports that one of the first apparent strikes occurred near offices linked to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Explosions were reported in several cities, with smoke seen rising above Tehran.

Iranian state media confirmed attacks across the country. Authorities shut down airspace and disrupted mobile phone services as further blasts were heard in the capital.

US President Donald Trump confirmed the operation in a video posted on social media, declaring that Washington had begun “major combat operations in Iran.”

He accused Tehran of continuing nuclear development and pursuing missile capabilities that could eventually threaten the United States.

Trump also appealed directly to Iranian citizens, urging them to “take over your government,” while acknowledging the possibility of American casualties, stating that such outcomes “often happen in war.” (Nigerian Tribune)