The UN secretary general, António Guterres, has said the Middle East is on the "brink", as concerns grow that an Israeli response to Iran"s retaliatory strikes against it could lead to a regional conflict. Addressing a UN security council meeting, 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." Guterres reiterated his earlier call for an immediate cessation of hostilities Middle East crisis: visual guide to Iran’s attack on Israel Middle East crisis – live updates