At a July 15 noon briefing at UN headquarters in New York, UN spokesman Stéphane
Dujarric said Secretary‑General António Guterres is deeply concerned about
ongoing military escalation in the Middle East and urged all parties to take
immediate steps to de‑escalate and return to dialogue and diplomacy. Guterres
warned that a resumption of full hostilities would inflict unbearable civilians
casualties and have catastrophic consequences for international peace, security
and the global economy. He also called for full restoration of international
navigation rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waters and
urged parties to respect navigation rights under international law.
