New York [US], March 26 (ANI): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday warned that the ongoing West Asia conflict is disproportionately affecting “the poorest and the most vulnerable populations”, urging an immediate end to the war and a renewed push for diplomacy.
In a post on X, Guterres said the humanitarian consequences are being borne by civilians who had no role in the fighting. “The shock waves of the conflict in the Middle East are falling hardest on those who bear no responsibility: the poorest & the most vulnerable,” he wrote. “War is not the answer. We need a way out of this disaster. Diplomacy, full respect of international law & peace are the way out.”
Guterres also highlighted the economic impact, noting that disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz were exacerbating global pressures. “The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz is choking the movement of oil, gas & fertilizer at a critical moment in the global planting season,” he said, adding that civilians across the region are “enduring serious harm & living under profound insecurity.”
The Secretary-General said the UN is working to reduce the conflict’s effects but stressed that ending the war remains the most effective solution. “The UN is working to minimise the consequences of the war. And the best way to minimise those consequences is clear. End the war – immediately,” he said.
Separately, in a televised interview about the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian official Abbas Araghchi said Iran has restricted passage for its adversaries while allowing friendly nations to transit. “For some countries that we identified as our friends, we allowed passage through the Strait of Hormuz. We allowed China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan to pass,” he said. “There is no reason for us to allow our enemy to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.” (ANI)
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