Middle East wars: ‘The force of law’ must prevail over the law of violence, Guterres urges

Antonio Guterres spoke to journalists outside the European Council in Brussels, where he briefed regional leaders on the importance of continuing multilateral cooperation between the EU and the UN.

He said the United States and Israel needed to end their attacks on Iran before the country “completely spirals out of control,” causing more civilian suffering, especially in less developed countries where the consequences of rising energy prices and supply chain bottlenecks could have “tragic consequences.”

End attacks on energy

Attacks by Israel and Iran in recent days on natural gas fields and other energy infrastructure in the Gulf have led to sharp price increases for consumers, while many countries have called on Tehran to halt attacks and threats against shipping in the vital Strait of Hormuz off Iran’s coast.

Mr Guterres urged Iran: “Stop attacking your neighbors; they have never been a party to the conflict. That Security Council has condemned these attacks,” and has also ordered the reopening of the Strait.

‘Extraordinary pain’

“The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz is causing tremendous suffering for many people around the world who have nothing to do with this conflict,” continued the UN Secretary General.

“It is time for the power of law to triumph over the law of violence. It is time for diplomacy to triumph over war,” he said.

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