HAMILTON, Canada

The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency session on Saturday after the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, which has drawn widespread backlash.

The emergency session was requested by the permanent missions of France, Bahrain, China, Russia, and Colombia, according to a statement by the permanent mission of Russia to the UN.

The meeting is expected to take place on Saturday afternoon.

"The reckless actions by Washington and West Jerusalem against a sovereign UN member state constitute a direct violation of the fundamental principles and norms of international law," said the Russian mission, warning that "such perilous misadventures are intended to undermine peace, stability, and security throughout the Middle East region."

Russia will "demand that the United States and Israel immediately cease their illegal and escalatory actions and embark on a path toward a political and diplomatic settlement," added the statement.

The spokesperson's office for the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres later confirmed that the UN chief will deliver remarks at the emergency session.

The move comes after the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran early Saturday, claiming it was meant to remove “threats” posed by the Iranian "regime."

Separate video statements were released by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, which also hinted at supporting efforts for a change in government in Tehran.

Iran termed the strikes a violation of sovereignty, and launched retaliatory strikes.