New York: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark warning that the escalating Iran-Israel war is “out of control”, and urged immediate de-escalation and renewed diplomatic efforts, according to UN News.
Guterres told reporters outside the UN Security Council on Wednesday that the conflict has spiralled far beyond initial expectations, with serious regional and global consequences. In response, he announced the appointment of veteran diplomat Jean Arnault as his Personal Envoy to lead peace initiatives.
According to the report, Arnault will “more directly on the ground… to support all the efforts for mediation, all the efforts for peace”, engaging all parties involved and supporting mediation efforts aimed at ending the conflict. His role will also include assessing the wider humanitarian and economic impacts of the crisis.
Delivering pointed messages to key stakeholders, Guterres urged the United States and Israel to bring the war to an end, while calling on Iran to stop attacks on neighbouring countries not directly involved in the conflict. He emphasized the urgent need to uphold international law and protect civilian lives.
A major concern highlighted by the UN chief is the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint. As reported by UN News, Guterres warned that continued instability in the region is severely affecting supplies of oil, gas, and fertilisers, with ripple effects across global markets.
“The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz causes enormous pain,” he said, stressing that countries far removed from the conflict are bearing the economic consequences.
Humanitarian Crisis
Guterres also underscored the growing humanitarian crisis, noting that civilians across the region are facing severe hardship and insecurity. Referring to Lebanon, he called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, urging Hezbollah to halt attacks into Israel and Israel to stop strikes impacting civilians.
The UN chief further warned of broader global fallout, including market instability, rising energy prices, and threats to food security. “Without fertilisers today, we might have hunger tomorrow,” he cautioned, highlighting the vulnerability of developing nations already grappling with debt and inflation.
In remarks made a week earlier in Brussels, cited by UN News, Guterres reiterated his call for diplomacy over conflict, stating: “It’s time for the force of the law to prevail over the law of force.”
Despite escalating tensions, he maintained that a peaceful resolution remains possible. “Diplomacy must prevail,” Guterres said. “War is not the answer… Peace is the way out,” he said.