“The war has spiraled out of control,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, characterizing the situation in the Middle East during his address to the press at the organization's headquarters in New York.
Guterres noted that he maintains regular contacts with representatives from both the region and the international community.
“Currently, numerous initiatives are underway aimed at creating conditions for dialogue and peace. These efforts must succeed. I have appointed Jean Arnaud as my personal envoy to coordinate UN actions regarding the resolution of the conflict and its consequences,” he added.
It is time to stop the escalation and begin negotiations.
António Guterres
The Secretary-General called on the US and Israel to cease hostilities. At the same time, he urged Iran to stop aggressive actions against neighboring countries.
He also emphasized the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, noting that its closure could negatively impact the supply of oil, gas, and fertilizers at a critical moment when the global planting season begins.
The consequences of the current crisis affect not only the residents of the region but also people beyond its borders.
“I witnessed these consequences myself during a recent visit to Lebanon. There, too, the war must stop. Hezbollah must cease its attacks on Israel, while Israel must halt military actions and strikes on Lebanon that cause the most harm to the civilian population,” Guterres stressed.
He noted that the UN is doing everything possible to minimize the consequences of the war; however, humanitarian operations are currently facing serious difficulties.
“We need a way out of this catastrophe. This way out lies in diplomacy, in full compliance with international law, and in establishing peace,” he concluded.
