Michelle Kellerman

It encourages Americans to enroll in an online system at step.state.gov.

The department has also set up a task force to assist American citizens.

The U.S.

does not have an embassy in Iran, and on Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Iran as a state sponsor of wrongful detention, urging Tehran to free all unjustly detained Americans.

There are a handful of such cases, according to one State Department official.

Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Washington.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres opened the session by condemning the, quote, massive U.S.

and Israeli military strikes against Iran, as well as the Iranian strikes on seven Gulf states.

Iran is telling the UN that it has the right to respond, describing U.S.

military bases in the region as legitimate military targets.

Israel's ambassador brushed off criticism, saying while some call this aggression, Israel sees it as a necessity, adding that the time for the Iranian people to take control of their future is, in his words, very soon.

Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Washington.

Secretary General Antonio Guterres says the UN Charter is clear.

It prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

President Trump has made clear that this military action is aimed at regime change in Iran.

and he's urging Iranians to rise up.

Iran is calling for an emergency U.N.

Security Council meeting.

In his statement, Guterres calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation, adding, quote, failing to do so risks a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability.

Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Washington.