Middle East: UN Calls for Opening a Humanitarian Corridor Through the Strait of Hormuz

15 June 2026 World and Security

Speaking in Geneva, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ava Doubo, emphasized that disruptions in shipping in the Strait and the US naval blockade of vessels using Iranian ports have severely restricted humanitarian aid flows. The crisis has caused large-scale consequences that continue to affect people both in the region and beyond.

“Economists warn that if the spill is not contained, some vulnerable economies in the world could be set back. The resulting chaos will lead to increased poverty and hunger for millions of people,” said the deputy European commissioner.

Within the framework of the UN Human Rights Council session, she today presented updated information on the consequences of Iranian strikes on Basra, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. In her speech, Dab emphasized that specialized UN agencies, including the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), must receive resources necessary to prevent a global crisis in the field of food security.

Speaking at the same meeting, the Permanent Representative of the OAE to the UN in Geneva, Jamal Al-Musharakh, expressed hope that the ongoing negotiations would lead to a cessation of attacks. Since February 28, he reported, the OAE has been subjected to strikes using more than three thousand ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones.

Iran’s Position

The Iranian Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Ali Bagheri, in turn, stated that his country is acting within the right to self-defense – in accordance with international law, while Iranians are facing “disorderly airstrikes.”

“Iran ultimately agreed to a ceasefire, despite all its shortcomings and existing problems, acting out of a sense of deep responsibility for the security of the region,” Basrein said.

“Fragile Moment”

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights welcomed the announcement of a peace agreement. Volker Türk called on all parties to cease hostilities and strive for a sustainable ceasefire.

“At this difficult moment, all parties need to demonstrate maximum restraint, work on strengthening the ceasefire regime, and transform it into a comprehensive peace agreement,” Tyorq stated, speaking at the Human Rights Council.

The call of the UN’s chief human rights defender followed the comments of the Secretary-General, who called the announcement of the agreement a “critically important step” towards ending the conflict.

According to the statement published on Sunday by the Secretary-General, the agreement provides for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and also sets the framework for further negotiations.

“An important step towards restoring security”

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) stated that a “significant step has been taken towards restoring safety in a vital maritime corridor, as well as towards protecting the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation.”

After the conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel struck Iran, Iranian military forces responded with attacks on Israel and US allied states in the Persian Gulf. The population of Lebanon was also drawn into the war after Hezbollah militants based in the country began firing on Israel.

Israeli and American strikes on Iran have led to the deaths of thousands of civilians, “including hundreds of children, and have also destroyed hospitals, schools, homes, and other infrastructure,” Volker Türk told the UN Human Rights Council. The head of the UN Human Rights Office called for the results of the investigation into the US strike on a school in Minab, which resulted in the deaths of more than 156 people, to be made public.