UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday warned that the Iran war which is now in its fifth week, is pushing the region toward a wider conflict that could trigger global economic and humanitarian crises.
“Every day this war continues, human suffering grows. The scale of devastation grows. Indiscriminate attacks grow. The targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure grows,” Guterres said during a press encounter. “We are on the edge of a wider war that would engulf the whole Middle East with dramatic impacts around the globe.”
The UN chief stressed the “worldwide economic and humanitarian consequences, citing rising food and energy costs affecting vulnerable communities from the Philippines to Sri Lanka and Mozambique.
He specifically pointed to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, warning that disruptions to freedom of navigation threaten the world’s poorest.
Guterres called for urgent diplomatic efforts, emphasising, “Disputes must be resolved peacefully under international law. “The spiral of death and destruction must stop. Diplomatic efforts are underway to find a peaceful path forward. They deserve the space and support to succeed—anchored firmly in international law, including the UN Charter,” he said.
The Secretary-General outlined clear demands for all parties. To the United States and Israel, he urged an immediate halt to the war causing immense human suffering and economic consequences. To Iran, he demanded an end to attacks on neighboring countries. He also stressed that all states must respect sovereignty, civilian safety, nuclear facilities, and freedom of navigation.
Guterres announced the deployment of his Personal Envoy, Jean Arnault, to the region to support ongoing peace efforts.
“Conflicts do not end on their own. They end when leaders choose dialogue over destruction. That choice still exists. And it must be made now,” he said.
