“The world faces the danger of wider war, a rising tide of human suffering and a deeper global economic shock.” he said, adding bluntly: “This has gone too far.”
The envoy will work “directly on the ground”
The Secretary-General confirmed that he has appointed veteran diplomat Jean Arnault as his Personal Envoy to lead UN efforts to end the conflict that has shaken the entire region with shock waves that have spread around the world, especially impacting energy markets that depend on the crucial Strait of Hormuz choke point.
The envoy will work”more directly on the ground… to support all mediation efforts, all peace efforts”, interacting with all parties and assessing the far-reaching impacts of the conflict.
Guterres delivered tough messages to key actors. He urged the United States and Israel that “it is time to end the war,” while calling on Iran “to stop attacking its neighbors who are not parties to the conflict.”
He also stressed that freedom of navigation must be respected, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, and warned that its prolonged disruption is choking off vital oil, gas and fertilizer supplies.
The humanitarian cost will worsen
Highlighting the humanitarian cost, he said civilians across the region were “suffer serious damage and live under deep insecurityReferring to Lebanon, he insisted that “the war must end,” calling on Hezbollah to stop attacks on Israel and Israel to cease attacks that “hit civilians the hardest.”
The Secretary-General also warned against broader global consequences, noting that Markets are “in turmoil” and humanitarian operations are limited..
The economic shock, he said, is hitting the most vulnerable hardest, particularly in developing countries already struggling with debt and rising costs.
Aid is distributed to displaced families in northern Lebanon.
Hungry tomorrow
He pointed to the disruption of fertilizer supplies as an imminent threat to global food security. “Without fertilizer today, we could be hungry tomorrow,” he warned, adding that rising energy prices risk fueling inflation and deepening poverty around the world.
Despite rising tensions and continued military escalation, Guterres insisted there is still a way forward. “Diplomacy must prevail,” he said. “War is not the answer… We need a way out of this disaster.”
“Diplomacy is the way out. Full respect for international law is the way out. Peace is the way out.”