UN ‘encouraged’ by talk of possible US-Iran ceasefire deal

During his regular media briefing from Headquarters, Stéphane Dujarric was asked about an announcement by Pakistan’s Prime Minister that the sides had agreed on a final text for a peace deal to end more than 100 days of war. 

“We’ve seen that announcement. We saw also the announcements from the President of the United States yesterday,” he said. 

“Given the sensitivity of the situation and the fact we’ve been close before, we will hold off on any comment, but we are encouraged by the general tone of what we’re hearing.” 

Pakistan has been a mediator in the war that erupted in late February after the US and Israeli bombed military and nuclear sites in Iran, and Tehran launched subsequent attacks on US targets in the Gulf region. 

Far-reaching consequences

The crisis is part of the wider conflict in the Middle East and Gulf region which UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly condemned. 

It has strangled shipping in the Strait of Hormuz – responsible for roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil trade and significant volumes of liquefied natural gas as well as fertilisers.  

The disruption has caused ripple effects across the region and around the world, with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently warning that it “could trigger a severe global food price crisis within six to 12 months.” 

Thousands of seafarers are stuck on ships in the Strait, some of which have come under deadly fire. Fourteen of these workers have been killed to date, with three deaths reported this week. 

In March, the Secretary-General appointed veteran French diplomat Jean Arnault as his Personal Envoy on the Middle East conflict and its consequences who has been engaging with various delegations. 

The UN chief also established a dedicated Task Force  to ensure safe transit for humanitarian shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.