The United Nations has urged restraint and renewed respect for maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as escalating tensions between Iran and the United States continue to disrupt one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, speaking through his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric on Monday, appealed to all sides involved in the crisis to ensure freedom of navigation is maintained despite rising military and political tensions in the region.
Dujarric warned that disruptions in the waterway are already having consequences beyond the region, contributing to global economic uncertainty and affecting multiple sectors worldwide.
His comments came after reports that the United States had moved to restrict maritime access linked to Iranian ports, following the collapse of weekend peace talks aimed at de-escalating the conflict.
Meanwhile, Iran had already imposed its own restrictions on shipping through the strait after the outbreak of hostilities involving U.S. and Israeli strikes earlier in the year.
The UN also expressed concern over the humanitarian impact of the crisis, noting that thousands of seafarers remain stranded aboard vessels in increasingly difficult conditions as commercial movement slows.
Guterres reiterated the importance of maintaining the fragile ceasefire framework, stressing that all parties must avoid further violations and keep diplomatic channels open to prevent further escalation.
