UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a stern warning regarding an Iran-US escalation during his remarks in Cairo, Egypt, calling for dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflict. Speaking to journalists on Monday alongside Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, the UN chief emphasized that maximum restraint and diplomatic solutions are urgently needed. He cautioned that if current sabre-rattling leads to a major escalation, the situation throughout the region could spiral completely out of control. Furthermore, Guterres stressed the vital importance of fully restoring navigational rights and freedoms in critical global trade corridors, specifically around the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait near the mouth of the Red Sea.
Diplomacy and Middle East Crises
During the meetings in Cairo, Guterres praised Egypt as a pillar of multilateralism and commended its mediation role in creating conditions for dialogue. The Secretary-General also highlighted Egypt’s indispensable contributions to humanitarian and mediation efforts in Gaza since the conflict began, thanking the nation for facilitating life-saving aid, medical evacuations, and partnerships with the Egyptian Red Crescent. He demanded that Israeli restrictions on humanitarian assistance be lifted immediately and urged the removal of obstacles blocking the UN Security Council-endorsed plan to end the Gaza war, reiterating that civilians must be protected and international law respected. Additionally, Guterres expressed deep alarm over Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank, pointing to expanding settlements, unrelenting evictions, surging violence, and attacks against journalists and diplomats in an increasingly coercive environment carrying the spectre of ethnic cleansing.
Broader Regional Concerns
Beyond the immediate Gaza and Iran-US tensions, the UN chief addressed several other ongoing regional conflicts during his visit. He demanded an end to the fighting in Sudan, stating that the nation’s future must belong to the Sudanese people via an inclusive political process preserving unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Regarding Libya, Guterres noted that the time has come to capitalize on political momentum, unify institutions, and pave the way for national elections to conclude the prolonged transition. Reaffirming his steadfast support for the two-State solution, he underscored that lasting peace in the Middle East requires realizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination. This trip marks his ninth visit to Egypt since his appointment in 2017, coming ahead of his departure from office at the end of the year.
Source: Cosmo News Desk
