UN Chief Urges US-Iran to Halt Ceasefire Violations, Resume Talks
By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN head António Guterres on Monday the US and Iran must continue their talks to end weeks-long war in the Middle East, as he underscored that there is no military solution to the conflict.
He noted that the marathon discussions hosted by Pakistan ended in stalemate this weekend in Islamabad.
UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric issued a statement in New York said that while no agreement was reached, “the discussions themselves underscored the seriousness of their engagement and constituted a positive and meaningful step toward renewed dialogue.”
It said that “Given the deeply rooted differences, an agreement cannot be reached overnight, and Mr. Guterres called on the talks to continue constructively for an agreement to be reached. At the same time, the ceasefire must absolutely be preserved. All violations must cease.”
Mr. Guterres thanked Pakistan and the other mediators –Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Türkiye and called for the international community to support their efforts.
He stressed that all parties to the conflict must respect freedom of navigation, including in the Strait of Hormuz, in line with international law.
Guterres stressed that the critical maritime corridor, located south of Iran, lies between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
US announced plans to blockade ships entering and leaving Iranian ports which took effect on Monday, the statement acknowledged.
The statement recalled that some 20,000 seafarers remain stranded on ships in the Persian Gulf and are “facing increasing hardships daily,” the UN statement recalled.
International Maritime Organization head Arsenio Dominguez, highlighted the risks in remarks to country delegations gathered for a meeting to discuss security threats at sea.
“It would be very simple for anyone to imagine being in a situation where you have been trapped on board a ship without being able to navigate for over a month now,” he said.
“There is always the concern that supplies may start running low. There is the constant threat that a ship may be targeted or attacked, which endangers the lives of the seafarers.”
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization in normal times 35% of global crude oil some 20 million barrels along with 30% of fertilizer trade and a 5th of liquefied natural gas passes through the Strait of Hormuz daily.
UN officials and agencies noted that the disruptions in maritime trade have had direct effects in the region and beyond, with increased global economic fragility and insecurity in many sectors.
UN warned that “disruption of fertilizer and its inputs further exacerbate food insecurity for millions of vulnerable people around the world, added to the rising cost of living due to impacts from fuel, transportation and supply chain disruptions.”
Guterres in his statement said that engagement continues with relevant parties on the design and operation of the recently appointed UN task force on the Strait of Hormuz.
UN Personal Envoy for the Middle East Conflict, Jean Arnault “remains actively engaged in the region, consulting closely with key stakeholders and continuing his outreach in support of a comprehensive and durable agreement,” the statement added.
