NEW YORK, April 15 (V7N) – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday urged the resumption of "serious negotiations" to bring an end to the ongoing war in the Middle East, emphasizing that the crisis has "no military solution."

In a statement to journalists at UN headquarters, Guterres reiterated his call for peaceful dialogue and stressed that military action alone could not resolve the complex issues at the heart of the conflict. "Peace agreements require persistent engagement and political will. Serious negotiations must resume," he said.

Guterres also highlighted the importance of preserving international freedom of navigation, particularly in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which much of the world's oil is shipped. "All parties must respect freedom of navigation," he said, referring to recent tensions in the region, especially the US-Iran standoff.

The UN chief’s remarks come after the recent two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan between the United States and Iran, which was agreed upon last Wednesday. Despite the fragile truce, both sides have failed to resolve key issues during talks in Islamabad over the weekend, including Iran’s nuclear program and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping. US President Donald Trump indicated on Tuesday that a second round of talks could take place in Pakistan within the next two days.

In addition to the US-Iran conflict, Guterres welcomed the resumption of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, which began on Tuesday in Washington. These talks, a significant diplomatic breakthrough, are aimed at addressing tensions between the two countries, particularly around the ongoing hostilities involving Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia that has been engaged in combat with Israeli forces in southern Lebanon.

While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Guterres emphasized the importance of the dialogue: "Nobody expects that these talks today will solve all the problems, but I think it will be very important if these talks create the conditions for a change in the way the actors have been developing their activities."

He further criticized Hezbollah and Israel for their roles in destabilizing Lebanon, stating, "Until now, the truth is that Hezbollah and Israel have always helped each other to destabilize the government of Lebanon."

In his broader appeal, Guterres called for diplomacy, restraint, and responsibility in addressing the ongoing crises in the region, urging global leaders to uphold international law, which he said was being "trampled" in many parts of the world. He warned that "lawlessness breeds chaos, suffering, and destruction," underlining the need for a concerted international effort to restore peace and stability.

The UN's calls for diplomacy come at a time of heightened tensions, with the conflict in the Middle East showing no signs of abating, and the potential for broader escalation remains a serious concern for global security.

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