UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said it was "essential to stop any escalation" in the Middle East, as senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan hold talks in Iran.

"The risk to have the combination of an overwhelming military attack on Iran, and an overwhelming military attack by Iran on the countries of the Gulf, needs to be avoided at all costs," he said at a press conference in Cairo, in response to a question about the possibility of an Iran deal and escalating threats from the US.

"The consequences would be unimaginable. It would have an impact far beyond the region," Guterres said.

Extremist Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed Al Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem under heavy police protection on the eve of Israel’s general elections.

Israeli Channel 7 reported that Ben-Gvir entered the flashpoint site amid tight security measures and performed prayers at the Al Buraq Wall (Western Wall), the western portion of the Al Aqsa Mosque complex.

A quadrilateral meeting between delegations from Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Iran began in Tehran on Monday, with talks set to focus on regional security, Israel's activities in the region, and developments in Palestine and Lebanon.

The meeting will be hosted by Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei.

Both Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are attending the meeting, while Türkiye is represented by National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Director Ibrahim Kalin, Saudi Arabia by Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, and Pakistan by Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir.

Egypt’s House of Representatives approved President Abdel Fattah el Sisi’s request for military assistance to Saudi Arabia, the state-run Al-Qahera News channel reported.

The approval followed closed-door discussions on authorising military support to the kingdom, including the possible deployment of troops, amid escalating regional tensions.

The decision allows airlines and aviation authorities to reassess routes over Syria, although individual countries’ restrictions remain in place and European safety guidance continues.

Cairo’s move raises the prospect of deeper Egyptian involvement in the widening regional conflict, but President Abdel Fattah el Sisi says any assistance would focus on defending Saudi territory and borders.

An oil spill from a damaged tanker off the UAE coast has widened, latest satellite images show, prompting beach closures in Umm Al Quwain, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.

Authorities are working to contain the leak but have not named the tanker or said what caused the spill.

Experts told Reuters it was coming from the Gem No. 2, which shipping sources said was struck by an unidentified projectile last month.

The spill has raised concerns over the environmental impact of attacks on commercial vessels in Gulf shipping lanes, with the region's waters home to more than 500 fish species, as well as dolphins and marine turtles, according to the IUCN.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II bin al Hussein received Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi upon his arrival in Amman, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

Al-Zaidi arrived in the Jordanian capital accompanied by a high-level delegation for an official visit.

According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and discussing regional developments.

The two countries are expected to explore ways to expand cooperation in economic and development sectors.

Israeli police are preparing to deploy 22,000 officers for Tuesday’s general elections amid fears of possible unrest following the announcement of the results, local media reported.

The deployment represents an increase of around 5,000 officers compared with the 2022 elections, Israeli private broadcaster i24NEWS reported, citing an unnamed senior police official.

The preparations come amid closely contested elections between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc and the Israeli opposition, with concerns that disputes over the results could trigger unrest.