UN ‘encouraged’ by talks of possible US-Iran ceasefire deal

During a regular media briefing from Headquarters, Stéphane Dujarric was asked about the Pakistani Prime Minister’s announcement that both sides had agreed to the final text of a peace agreement to end more than 100 days of war.

“We have seen the announcement. We also saw the announcement from the President of the United States yesterday,” he said.

“Given the sensitivity of the situation and the fact that we were close beforehand, we will postpone any comments, however we are driven by the general tone of what we hear.”

Pakistan has been a mediator in the war that erupted in late February after the US and Israel bombed military and nuclear sites in Iran, and Tehran’s subsequent attacks on US targets in the Gulf region.

The consequences are far-reaching

The crisis is part of a wider conflict in the Middle East and the Gulf region that UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly condemned.

This has hampered shipping in the Strait of Hormuz – causing around a a quarter of global oil trade goes by sea and large amounts of liquefied natural gas and fertilizer.

These disruptions have had mixed impacts in the region and around the world, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).F.A.O) recent warning that this “could trigger a severe global food price crisis within six to 12 months.”

Thousands of sailors were trapped on ships in the Strait, some of whom were subjected to deadly gunfire. Fourteen such workers have been killed to date, with three deaths reported this week.

In March, the Secretary General appointed veteran French diplomat Jean Arnault as his Personal Envoy for the Middle East conflict and its consequences who has engaged with various delegations.

The UN Secretary General also determined Special Task Force to ensure the safe transit of humanitarian shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

More to come on this developing story…