The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, said the US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities risks sparking another cycle of destruction.

"We now risk descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation," Guterres said in remarks to the Security Council.

"To avoid it, diplomacy must prevail. Civilians must be protected. Safe maritime navigation must be guaranteed," he said. "We must act — immediately and decisively — to halt the fighting and return to serious, sustained negotiations on the Iran nuclear program."

The US used B-2 bombers to attack three nuclear facilities in Iran on Sunday, aiming to destroy the country's nuclear program.

China's Foreign Ministry said the US actions seriously violated the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and exacerbated tensions in the Middle East.

shiguang@chinadailyusa.com