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UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday voiced deep concern over the escalating military confrontation in the Middle East, urging all parties to immediately de-escalate tensions and return to dialogue and diplomacy.
The appeal came amid ongoing exchanges of strikes between the United States and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz, which have undermined an interim truce established under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two countries in June.
“The Secretary-General urges all parties to take immediate steps for de-escalation and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy,” a UN statement said.
Guterres warned that a return to full-scale hostilities would have devastating humanitarian and global consequences.
“The Secretary-General reiterates that a return to full-scale hostilities would exact an intolerable toll on civilians and have catastrophic consequences for international peace and security and the global economy,” the statement said.
The UN chief also renewed his call for the full restoration of international navigational rights and freedoms in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route for global oil and natural gas exports.
He stressed that navigational rights and freedoms must be respected by all parties in accordance with international law.
Guterres reiterated the United Nations’ commitment to supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and preventing the conflict from escalating further. Source: UN News