UN Urges Restraint Amid Iran-US Tensions

The United Nations on Thursday called for "maximum restraint" from all parties amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States.
"We are very concerned about the volatility of the situation. We call on everyone to exercise maximum restraint, prevent any escalation of and heightening of tensions," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, told reporters, Xinhua reported.
"The situation ... is already fairly volatile and we are concerned by the rhetoric that we have been hearing," he told a regular press briefing.
"We are following the situation. Our message, and the secretary-general's message, is one of restraint, both in terms of actions and in terms of rhetoric. These are situations where actions and rhetoric can be misinterpreted and can lead to catastrophic actions."
The US has ramped up pressure on Iran by imposing a total ban on Iranian oil exports and building up its military presence in the region. 
However, both Iran and the US have announced their lack of appetite for conflict and denied having any war plans.