New Delhi, Jan. 19 -- Alarmed at the eruption of another global hotspot, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called upon Pakistan and Iran to sort out their security concerns through dialogue and avoid escalating the military strikes against each other.

"The Secretary-General underlines that all security concerns between the two countries must be addressed by peaceful means, through dialogue and cooperation, in accordance with the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and good neighbourly relations", his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday.

"Deeply concerned about the recent exchange of military strikes" between them, "he urges both countries to exercise maximum restraint to avoid a further escalat...