UN chief warns of severe risks from Iran-Gulf military tensions

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned of potentially devastating consequences from any military escalation involving Iran and Gulf nations, according to Al Jazeera English.

Speaking in Cairo, Egypt, Guterres called for dialogue and diplomacy to end the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, emphasizing the need for maximum restraint to avoid the situation spiraling out of control, UN News reported.

He highlighted the importance of restoring navigational rights and freedoms in critical maritime corridors such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which are vital for global trade.

Guterres praised Egypt's role in mediating dialogue between the conflicting parties and facilitating humanitarian efforts, including aid and medical evacuations in Gaza, while urging the lifting of Israeli restrictions on humanitarian assistance as endorsed by the UN Security Council.

He stressed that civilians must be protected and international law respected amid the regional tensions, underscoring the critical need to keep diplomatic channels open during this period of deepening divisions.