Published on: 2026-07-12
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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July 12, 2026 Peace and Security
The resumption of strikes between Iran and the United States in the Persian Gulf area has heightened concerns about a return to full-scale war. Washington, meanwhile, denied Tehran’s claim that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz was blocked on Sunday.
According to the American side, on Saturday the US carried out strikes on approximately 140 targets in response to an attack by Iranian military forces on a vessel passing through this international waterway.
According to reports, on Sunday Tehran launched a series of strikes against a US military base in Jordan, and the authorities of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait reported being attacked by missiles and drones from Iran.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated that he is “deeply concerned about the serious escalation” and called for an end to all attacks. According to the statement released on Sunday by the Secretary-General’s press office, Guterres urged all warring parties to “exercise maximum restraint, avoid further escalatory actions, and immediately take steps to de-escalate tensions.”
The Secretary-General once again emphasized that a return to full-scale military actions would have catastrophic consequences for people in the region and beyond, as well as for the global economy.
Freedom of navigation
The escalation of hostilities has led to an increase in energy prices, and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has once again come to a halt, despite the memorandum of understanding signed by Tehran and Washington on June 17.
About 6,000 seafarers still remain on dozens of ships stranded in the strait. The head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, earlier this week called for a complete avoidance of transit through this water corridor “until the necessary safety conditions are ensured.”
Guterres emphasized the need to restore “full freedom of navigation” in the Strait of Hormuz.
“The Secretary-General urgently calls on Iran and the United States to immediately resume negotiations and resolve the remaining differences through diplomatic means,” said UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
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