UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the peace agreement reached between the United States and Iran, describing it as a “critical step” towards ending the conflict in the Middle East. According to a statement released by the Secretary-General’s Spokesperson, the deal provides for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a framework for future negotiations.
Guterres expressed his “deep appreciation” for the role played by Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and other regional countries that supported the talks. He conveyed his hope that the parties would build on this momentum to intensify efforts towards a final resolution, reiterating the United Nations’ readiness to support endeavors for a “lasting and comprehensive peace.”.
The conflict, which escalated in early March with attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Iran, had led to the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This waterway is a crucial shipping lane, with approximately 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passing through it. Despite a ceasefire agreement reached in April, mutual attacks between the U.S. and Iran had continued.
Guterres had also “strongly condemned” Israeli airstrikes on Beirut on Sunday. He emphasized that these attacks occurred at a time when a ceasefire was in place and the U.S. and Iran were expected to finalize an agreement paving the way for peace. Highlighting the “devastating impact” of the conflict on the global economy, Guterres urged all parties to exercise “maximum restraint” at this critical juncture and expressed his hope for the success of the U.S.-Iran efforts.
The crisis in Lebanon, part of wider regional unrest, had erupted on March 2, just days after the U.S. and Israel began bombing Iran. This had prompted Hezbollah militants in Lebanon to launch rocket attacks into Israel.
