In a statement released Monday, the council expressed grave concern at the outbreak of military hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran, and condemned the use of force by all parties to the conflict, and its serious impact on the neighboring countries across the Middle East region.

The statement called on the UN Security Council to fulfill its obligations for the maintenance of international peace and security, and to urgently take the necessary actions to ensure an immediate cessation of hostilities. It also called on the president of the UN General Assembly to consider the convening of an emergency special session to address the crisis in all its aspects.

It further called on the UN secretary-general to utilize his good offices to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the conflict as soon as possible. It expressed its full readiness to support all efforts by the United Nations to this end.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday called for an investigation into an attack on a school in Iran on February 28 that left more than 160 girls dead. He urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, prevent further escalation, and take all feasible measures to protect civilians, including foreign nationals, and critical infrastructure. Mr. Türk also called on involved parties to immediately halt the serious escalation of violence and return to a ceasefire arrangement.