WASHINGTON, DC — THE United Nations is once again warning of the dangers of a wider conflict in the Middle East as fighting between the United States and Iran continues to intensify, raising fears of a humanitarian crisis and further disruption to the global economy.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep concern over the latest military escalation, urging all parties to immediately halt hostilities and return to dialogue and diplomacy.
In a statement issued through his spokesperson, Guterres called for "maximum restraint" and warned that a return to full-scale conflict would have devastating consequences for civilians, regional stability and the global economy. He also urged the United States and Iran to resume negotiations without delay.
"The Secretary-General reiterates that a return to full-scale hostilities would exact an intolerable toll on the civilians and have catastrophic consequences for international peace and security and for the global economy," the statement said.
The UN chief also renewed his call for the restoration of full navigational rights and freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that all parties must respect international law.
The narrow waterway, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, is one of the world's most important maritime corridors, with roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments passing through it.
Continued attacks on commercial shipping and military operations in the area have once again heightened concerns over global energy supplies and rising fuel prices.
The renewed appeal comes as the conflict has entered another dangerous phase, with the United States intensifying strikes against Iranian military targets while Iran has continued attacks on vessels and strategic assets in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The escalating confrontation has renewed concerns that the conflict could spread further across the region, drawing in additional countries and placing greater strain on the global economy.
The United Nations has repeatedly maintained that diplomacy remains the only viable path to preventing a broader regional war, warning that further escalation would deepen the humanitarian crisis while threatening international peace and security.
