The United Nations chief and many countries have urged Israel and Iran to exercise maximum restraint at an emergency Security Council meeting held after Iran's massive attack on Israel. But the two countries traded accusations.

The meeting was held on Sunday at Israel's request.

Iran launched large-scale drone and missile attacks on Israel over the weekend. It said they were in response to an airstrike on its embassy in Syria on April 1 that it says was carried out by Israel.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, "It is vital to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East."

He said neither the region nor the world can afford more war and now is the time for maximum restraint.

Many countries also urged Iran and Israel to exercise restraint to avoid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

But Israel's UN ambassador Gilad Erdan said the attack by Iran "crossed every red line and Israel reserves the legal right to retaliate."

Iran's ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said that despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Israel continues to focus on committing more atrocious crimes and shows no regard for international legal obligations.