Guterres warns Mideast war ‘out of control,’ urges halt to Iran strikes
New York— United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the Middle East war has spiraled beyond control, urging Iran to halt attacks on neighboring countries while calling on the United States and Israel to end hostilities and return to diplomacy.
Speaking at UN headquarters, Guterres said the conflict had exceeded even worst-case expectations, warning of a potential global catastrophe if fighting continues.
He reiterated that diplomacy and adherence to international law remain the only viable path to de-escalation.
Guterres urged Tehran to stop strikes against regional states, noting that the United Nations Security Council has already condemned such actions and demanded their cessation. He also stressed the importance of safeguarding navigation rights in critical waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz.
He called on Washington and Israel to bring the war to an end, citing rising civilian casualties and intensifying humanitarian and economic consequences. “This has gone too far,” he said, warning against further escalation.
The UN chief said the prolonged disruption of maritime routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, is constraining the flow of oil, gas and fertilizers at a crucial time for global agriculture, amplifying economic shocks and threatening food security.
He warned that the conflict’s repercussions are disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, with humanitarian operations under increasing strain as violence spreads across multiple fronts.
Referring to his recent visit to Lebanon, Guterres cautioned against further deterioration there, calling on Hezbollah to halt attacks into Israel and urging Israel to stop strikes in Lebanese territory.
He warned that the humanitarian crisis seen in Gaza must not be repeated in Lebanon.Guterres said he remains engaged with regional and international stakeholders and announced the appointment of Jean Arnault as his personal envoy to coordinate diplomatic efforts related to the conflict and its broader consequences.
He emphasized that ending the war remains the most effective way to mitigate global disruption, reiterating that “peace is the way out.”
