UN chief urges Iran and US to ‘immediately resume negotiations’ as attacks in Gulf escalate

The US said it had struck about 140 targets on Saturday in response to Iran’s military attack on a ship sailing through international waterways.

Tehran reportedly launched a series of attacks targeting US bases in Jordan on Sunday, while the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait said they were attacked by missiles and drones from Iran.

‘Very concerned’

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply concerned by this serious escalation,” and urged an end to all attacks.

A statement issued by its Spokesperson called on all combatants “to exercise maximum self-control, avoid further escalatory actions, and take immediate steps to de-escalate.”

The UN Secretary General reiterated that a return to full-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences “for the people of the region” and beyond, as well as the global economy.

Escalating fighting and the end of a negotiated ceasefire last month have caused energy prices to rise while shipping through the strait between Iran and Oman has once again stalled.

Freedom of navigation calls

This means that around 6,000 sailors are still stranded on a number of ships. UN Chairman International Maritime Organization (IMO) is calling for all transit through the strait to be avoided, and earlier this week said this should continue “until the necessary safety conditions are achieved.”

UN Secretary General Guterres added that “full freedom of navigation” should be restored in the Strait of Hormuz, where three merchant ships were reportedly attacked earlier Tuesday, despite a Memorandum of Understanding between Tehran and Washington on June 17.

“The Secretary General urged Iran and the United States to immediately resume negotiations and address unresolved issues through diplomacy,” said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.