Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Recent military exchanges between Iran and the United States in the Gulf have intensified, raising concerns about renewed conflict. The US reported targeting approximately 140 Iranian-linked sites after an attack on a vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran claimed to have closed. Meanwhile, Iran reportedly launched attacks on a US base in Jordan, while missile and drone strikes affected the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the escalation and urged all parties to exercise restraint and cease hostilities immediately. He warned of the catastrophic consequences that renewed full-scale conflict could have on regional populations and the global economy.
Recent violence has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime passage, halting transit and stranding around 6,000 seafarers on numerous vessels. The head of the UN International Maritime Organization recommended avoiding transit through the strait until safety is assured.
Guterres emphasized the urgent need to restore full freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, especially after attacks on merchant ships despite a June 17 Memorandum of Understanding between Tehran and Washington aimed at de-escalation. The UN called on Iran and the United States to quickly resume diplomatic negotiations to resolve outstanding disputes and prevent further escalation.
According to a UN spokesperson, the Secretary-General's statements reflect a strong appeal for maximum restraint and a return to dialogue to ensure peace and security in the region and beyond.