The UN Secretary-General warned of the threat of a global catastrophe due to the war in the Middle East
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the regional conflict, now in its second month, is on the verge of escalating into a major war with dramatic consequences for the entire planet.
During a press conference on the situation in the Middle East, he highlighted the daily rise in the number of casualties and attacks on civilian infrastructure. According to the Secretary-General, restrictions on shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz have already triggered a spike in fuel and food prices, which is hitting vulnerable countries such as Mozambique, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines the hardest.
The UN chief put forward specific demands to the key parties to the conflict to avert a global crisis. He called on Israel and the United States to halt hostilities that are devastating the region’s economy, and on Iran to cease attacks on neighboring states. Guterres emphasized the need for the unconditional protection of nuclear facilities and respect for the sovereignty of nations. To facilitate a peaceful resolution, personal envoy Jean Arnault has been dispatched to the region to coordinate diplomatic efforts.
According to the head of the organization, state leaders must choose the path of dialogue while such an opportunity still exists. He emphasized that the current situation in the Persian Gulf threatens not only the security of the Middle East but also the stability of the global energy market, given the role of Russia and other major players in resource supply. António Guterres concluded that conflicts do not end on their own, and only the political will to negotiate can halt the destruction of the international legal order. This was reported by the UN press service, citing the Secretary-General’s remarks on the current security situation.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he had received a message from the new leader of the Iranian regime requesting a ceasefire. Trump is willing to consider such a possibility only on the condition that the Strait of Hormuz is fully opened for the free and safe passage of ships.
As a reminder, the IRGC announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and is threatening a “harsh response” to ships.
