United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called on the United States and Iran to return to negotiations amid heightened maritime tensions in the Middle East, according to a statement from his spokesperson.
“The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the recent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and return to dialogue,” the statement said. The call comes after a series of confrontations between US naval forces and Iranian vessels in the strategic waterway, which carries about 20% of global oil supply.
Washington and Tehran have offered conflicting accounts of the situation. The US military reported that Iranian fast-attack boats conducted “unsafe and unprofessional” maneuvers near American warships, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard denied any harassment and accused the US of “provocative actions” in the region.
Guterres emphasized the importance of maritime security and freedom of navigation, urging both sides to resolve their differences through peaceful means. The UN chief also stressed the need to avoid any escalation that could threaten regional stability.
