UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate end to the escalating Middle East conflict, warning that it has gone “too far” and is causing mounting human suffering, civilian casualties, and a growing global economic impact.
In a post on X on Thursday, he highlighted the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a particular concern, noting it is “choking the movement of oil, gas & fertilizer at a critical moment in the global planting season.”
The UN boss stressed that civilians across the region are bearing the brunt of the conflict. “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, urging all parties, including the US, Israel, and Iran, to de-escalate. “My message to the US & Israel is that it’s high time to end the war… My message to Iran is to stop attacking their neighbors that are not parties to the conflict.”
Guterres reinforced that the UN is actively working to mitigate the consequences of the war and announced the appointment of Jean R. Lowe as his personal representative to coordinate UN efforts on the crisis.
“It’s time to stop climbing the escalation ladder and start climbing the diplomatic ladder and return to full respect of international law,” he said, adding that “war is not the answer. Diplomacy, full respect of international law & peace are the way out.”
His statement comes as the Middle East conflict enters its fourth week, following a sharp escalation that began on February 28, 2026, involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Over the past month, Israel has carried out intensified strikes on Iranian territory, including Tehran and key industrial sites, while the US confirmed that around 140 service members were wounded early in the conflict and has targeted more than 10,000 sites to degrade Iran’s missile and naval capabilities.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks on Israeli oil and gas infrastructure in Haifa and across the Gulf, including Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Israel’s ground invasion of southern Lebanon has displaced hundreds of thousands and reignited clashes with Hezbollah.
Humanitarian impacts are severe, with over 330,000 people forcibly displaced and approximately 3,000 casualties, including 850 deaths in Lebanon alone between March 2–15, 2026.
The conflict has also triggered a global economic shock, with Brent crude prices surpassing $104 a barrel as shipping and energy supply chains are disrupted. Tehran has rejected direct talks with the US, insisting on a full halt to Israeli aggression and reparations.