A spokesperson for the UN announced that the agreement includes an immediate and lasting ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a framework for further negotiations. Secretary-General Guterres expressed his “deep appreciation” for the role played by Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and other regional countries in supporting the talks.
Guterres conveyed his hope that the parties will “redouble” their efforts to build on this momentum and reach a final resolution, reiterating the United Nations’ readiness to support endeavors for “lasting and comprehensive peace.”
The conflict between the U.S. and Iran, which began with retaliatory attacks against Israeli targets, had led to the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for approximately 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas. Despite a ceasefire agreement reached in April, intermittent clashes, including mutual retaliatory strikes, had occurred between the U.S. and Iran this week.
Guterres had also strongly condemned Israeli airstrikes on Beirut, which were expected to help pave the way for peace amidst the ceasefire, at a time when the U.S. and Iran were anticipated to reach an agreement. He urged all parties to exercise “maximum restraint” at this critical juncture, highlighting the “devastating impact” on the global economy.
Stating that the crisis in Lebanon is part of wider regional unrest, Guterres noted that the attacks on Beirut were linked to events that erupted on March 2, just days after the U.S. and Israel began bombing Iran, which prompted Hezbollah militants in Lebanon to fire missiles into Israel.
