UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over a new wave of military escalation in the Persian Gulf and called on the United States and Iran to cease hostilities and resolve their differences through diplomatic means.

In a statement on the social media platform X, the UN chief said he was concerned about the “serious escalation and renewed military clashes in the region,” including Iran’s attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. strikes on Iranian territory, and Tehran’s retaliatory actions against targets in neighboring countries.

“All these attacks must stop,” Guterres wrote on X.

He warned that a return to full-scale hostilities could have catastrophic consequences for the people of the region, international peace and security, as well as the global economy.

The UN Secretary-General called on Washington and Tehran to urgently resume negotiations and resolve the remaining disputed issues exclusively through diplomatic means.