Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
March 25, 2026 Peace and security
"This war is out of control." Secretary-General António Guterres made this statement regarding the situation in the Middle East, speaking to journalists at UN headquarters in New York.
He said he maintains close contact "with many representatives of this region and around the world."
"A number of initiatives aimed at dialogue and peace are currently underway. They must be successful. I have just appointed Jean Arnault as my personal envoy to lead UN efforts to resolve the conflict and its aftermath," Guterres said.
It is time to stop the escalation and begin diplomatic negotiations, he stressed.
"My message to the United States and Israel is that it's time to end the war. My message to Iran is to stop attacking your neighbors," the UN chief said.
Guterres also called for respect for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. A prolonged closure of the strait would paralyze oil, gas, and fertilizer supplies at a critical time, as the global planting season begins, he noted.
The consequences of the crisis are being felt by civilians in the region and beyond.
"I saw some of these consequences with my own eyes during my recent visit to Lebanon. And the war there, too, must end. Hezbollah must stop attacking Israel. And Israel must cease its military operations and attacks on Lebanon, which are causing the greatest suffering among civilians," the Secretary-General said.
The UN is making every effort to minimize the consequences of the war, Guterres noted, but humanitarian operations are currently hampered.
"We need a way out of this catastrophe. The way out is diplomacy. The way out is full compliance with international law. The way out is peace," he concluded.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.