This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz amid stalled US-Iran peace talks, Anadolu reports.
“I appeal to the parties: Open the Strait. Let ships pass. No tolls. No discrimination. Let trade resume. Let the global economy breathe,” Guterres said at a high-level UN Security Council debate on maritime security.
The Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows—has faced major disruptions since early March after the US and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran on Feb. 28. The war is currently on a halt and efforts to end it permanently are underway.
“Since early March, the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has struck at global energy security, food supplies, and trade. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints,” Guterres said.
Safe, unimpeded passage is an economic and humanitarian “imperative,” he said, adding: “The economic shock has been immediate – and everyone is paying the price.”
READ: Germany’s Merz says US has ‘no exit strategy’ in Iran war, calls Tehran ‘skilled negotiator’
Beyond economic indicators, Guterres highlighted the human cost of the crisis. More than 20,000 seafarers remain stranded at sea, while over 2,000 commercial vessels are caught in uncertain and often dangerous conditions.
“These men and women are not parties to any conflict,” he said. “They are civilian workers keeping the world supplied.”
Guterres emphasized that international law must be upheld, including navigational rights guaranteed under the Law of the Sea. He referenced UN Security Council Resolution 2817, stressing that safe and unimpeded passage through the strait is a fundamental principle.
“The Charter’s prohibition of the threat or use of force applies fully at sea,” he said.
The UN chief urged all parties to pursue restraint and dialogue, offering his mediation to help resolve tensions. He pointed to past efforts such as the Black Sea Grain Initiative as proof that cooperation is possible even during conflict.
“The ocean must be a zone of peace and cooperation — not confrontation or coercion,” Guterres said.
READ: Top diplomats of Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia discuss efforts for ceasefire with US
This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
- Report reveals scale of damage to US bases in Gulf after Iranian strikes
- Diplomacy by absence: How Donald Trump’s cancelled visits reshaped US engagement in the Middle East
- Israeli commander warns settler violence in West Bank “could end in disaster”
- Israel detains 1,800 Palestinian children since Gaza war began
- Putin says Russia will support Iran and regional stability to ensure Middle East peace
- Report: Vance blocked alleged Mossad plan involving Kurdish escalation against Iran
- Bahrain revokes citizenship of 69 people over “glorifying” Iranian attacks
- Palestinian Media Forum welcomes broadcaster boycott of Eurovision over Gaza war
- Advocacy group says Gaza faces “slow genocide” as famine deepens under Israeli restrictions
- Israeli defense minister threatens Lebanon with ‘fire that will burn entire country’
- Libya, Greece discuss maritime border demarcation, irregular migration
- UN reports ‘one of highest volumes’ of Israeli firing incidents south of Blue Line in Lebanon
- Israel bans 2 prominent Palestinian preachers from Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque for 1 week
- Germany: Pro-Palestinian groups show solidarity with detained activists
- Trump meets national security team to discuss Iran’s proposal: White House
- UK-based group urges sanctions on 62 Israeli lawmakers over death penalty bill
- US secretary of state says Iran ‘serious’ about deal
- The US-Israel war on Iran: Objectives, strategy, and escalation management
- UN chief urges immediate reopening of Strait of Hormuz amid global trade crisis
- Israel withholds Palestinian clearance funds again, deducts $200 million
- Germany’s Merz says US has ‘no exit strategy’ in Iran war, calls Tehran ‘skilled negotiator’
- Germany calls on UN to take responsibility for settling Iran conflict
- Pakistan’s pageant, Washington’s whim, Iran’s refusal
- Bennett and Lapid merge parties to unseat Netanyahu
- US bill to grant Americans serving in Israeli army same rights as US troops
- Hormuz is the war’s invoice—and Washington can’t pay it
- Netanyahu scales back Meron celebration over Hezbollah security threat
- IRGC commander warns US and Israel of “stronger response” to any new attack
- Top diplomats of Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia discuss efforts for ceasefire with US
- Israeli media report casualties among soldiers in southern Lebanon attack
- Israeli Supreme Court orders sanctions against draft evaders
- Report: Israel deployed Iron Dome in UAE during war with Iran
- European rejection of emergency aid deepens Palestinian Authority financial crisis
- Iran demands end to Lebanon fighting as condition to continue negotiations
- What a president, a movie star, a congressman, and a cell phone all dared to say
- Herzog seeks mediation to end Netanyahu trial, not pardon
- 14 killed, including 2 children, in Israeli strikes on south Lebanon
- Global Sumud flotilla sets sail from Sicily to break Gaza blockade
- War…Netanyahu’s perfect definition of himself. So who will define him by peace?
- Over 2,500 killed in Lebanon in Israeli attacks since March 2
- Sheikh Jarrah: How ceasefires enable Israel’s quiet annexation
- What if the West has been misreading Iran for 40 years?
- Southern Lebanon witnesses widespread displacement due to Israeli strikes after Netanyahu’s escalation order
- Power, justice, and the decolonization of the global order
- War in Lebanon carries huge political cost, with no military solution to Hezbollah missiles: Israeli media
- ‘Don’t think so’: Trump says when asked if shooting could have been linked to Iran war
- New wave of Israeli strikes kill 4 Palestinians in Gaza
- Supply shortage fears push UK to ramp up contingency planning over Iran war
- Syria holds public trial for Assad’s cousin over crimes against civilians
- Indonesia–Saudi power play: Why ACWA–Danantara must move beyond the MoU
