The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on world leaders to de-escalate geopolitical tensions on Monday, which he described as being at their highest level this century as the new decade dawns.

"The New Year has begun with our world in turmoil. We are living in dangerous times", said the UN chief, warning that turbulence is only escalating. 

"Even nuclear non-proliferation can no longer be taken for granted" he added, without specifically referencing the events of recent days following the targeted killing by a United States drone, of Iran’s most influential general, Qasem Soleimani, in Iraq last Friday.

ILKHA