Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities mark a dangerous new escalation in the Middle East, a top UN official told the Security Council during an emergency session convened on Friday.

Five countries have won seats on the United Nations Security Council in uncontested elections. They will start serving two-year terms in January.

Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities constitute a grave danger and a serious threat to peace, security, and stability across the entire region and beyond,

The U.S. vetoed a draft U.N. Security Council resolution that demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza.

The U.N. Security Council has scheduled a vote Wednesday on a resolution which demands “an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties.”

The ten elected members of the U.N. Security Council have asked for the 15-member body to vote on Wednesday on a draft resolution that demands "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties,

The major step is the culmination of several festering stand-offs between the International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran.

Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, speaks during a UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security at the United Nations Headquarters on June 13. Photo:VCG

The United Nations Security Council on Thursday strongly condemned a deadly attack on a humanitarian convoy in Sudan’s North Darfur and reiterated its demand for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to end its siege of El Fasher to allow for the safe delivery of aid.