The UN Secretary-General has warned of the risk of a major war due to the crisis in the Middle East

This was stated by António Guterres in his remarks at a press conference on the situation in the Middle East, published on the UN website.

Guterres emphasised that the Middle East crisis has now entered its second month, and that every new day of fighting only increases human suffering and the scale of destruction. According to him, the world is on the brink of a wider war that could engulf the entire region and have dramatic consequences far beyond its borders.

Separately, the UN Secretary-General drew attention to the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. He stressed that its prolonged closure is already blocking the flow of oil, gas and fertilisers at a critical moment for the global economy. UN reports note that this is hitting the poorest and most vulnerable countries particularly hard, as they are the first to feel the effects of supply disruptions.

Guterres also made it clear that further escalation of the war would only deepen both the humanitarian and economic crises. Against this backdrop, the UN is continuing its diplomatic efforts, including initiatives related to mediation and safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz. It is

worth recalling that the UK plans to host an international meeting involving 35 countries to discuss ways of restoring shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which is partially blocked by Iran. The United States has not been directly invited to the talks.