UN Secretary-General António Guterres Warns of Global War Threat Due to Middle East Conflict and Strait of Hormuz Blockade
At a press conference on April 2, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern over the impact of the ongoing war in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that these events are felt across the globe and human suffering is escalating daily.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in his remarks during a press conference on April 2, articulated serious concerns regarding the ramifications of the war in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. According to Guterres, these developments are already being felt in various corners of the world, with human suffering increasing each day as the conflict persists.
"With each passing day that this war continues, human suffering grows," Guterres emphasized, noting that the danger is not confined to the Persian Gulf region alone. The UN chief warned that the world may be on the brink of a broader war that could engulf the entire Middle East and have dramatic consequences for the entire globe.
Guterres believes that the conflict in the Middle East already has repercussions that are felt worldwide. "One only needs to look at the consequences of the denial of freedom of navigation," he explained, referring to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global oil supplies passes.
The UN Secretary-General urged the United States and Israel to halt the war, which is inflicting immense human suffering and already has devastating economic consequences. He also called on Iran to cease attacks on neighboring countries, stressing that "the spiral of death and destruction must stop."
This statement from Guterres comes against the backdrop of news that CNN reported on a new demand from Iran for the cessation of hostilities, specifically the recognition of Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. This indicates that the conflict could escalate if the parties do not find a compromise.
On March 31, The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. President Donald Trump is prepared to conclude the war against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened. This decision may reflect the Trump administration's desire to avoid further escalation of the conflict, which could lead to a protracted war.
On March 28, Reuters noted that a month after the initiation of military operations against Iran, Trump faced a difficult choice: to forge a potentially imperfect agreement and end the war or risk escalating the conflict, which could result in prolonged instability in the region.
Thus, the situation in the Middle East remains tense, and the international community is closely monitoring developments, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the conflict that would halt human suffering and restore stability to the region.