UN chief calls on US and Iran to halt military strikes

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. [EPA]

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate halt to military operations Sunday, expressing deep concern over the escalating confrontation between the United States and Iran in the Gulf as US airstrikes on Iran continue under the stated rationale of protecting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Guterres said on his SNS account Sunday: "I am deeply concerned about the serious escalation of military hostilities in the Gulf region — Iran's attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, US strikes on Iran, and Iranian strikes on targets in neighboring countries. All such attacks must stop."

"I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, avoid actions that escalate tensions, and take immediate de-escalation measures," he said, warning that "a return to full-scale armed conflict would have catastrophic consequences for the people of the region, for international peace and security, and for the global economy."

He added that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be fully restored and "I urge Iran and the United States to urgently resume negotiations and resolve outstanding issues through diplomacy."

Online users, however, expressed skepticism about the UN's capacity to act, criticizing what they called a passive stance. Some commented that the UN was "too indifferent and passive," declared that "the UN has failed," and called on the organization to "take action against the war" rather than issue statements.

Despite the secretary-general's appeal, military operations on both sides continued.

US Central Command announced on X that it had "conducted additional airstrikes at 5 p.m. Eastern time to continue degrading Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting freely through the Strait of Hormuz."

CENTCOM said the strikes were carried out on the orders of President Donald Trump, adding that "the commander in chief directed airstrikes to hold Iranian forces accountable."

The US has been striking Iran in response to Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has retaliated with strikes targeting US military bases in the Middle East. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also announced Sunday that it was imposing a full blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

ygmoon@heraldcorp.com