UN Secretary-General Says Iran-US Deal Important Step to End Conflict

JAKARTA - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the announcement of a peace deal between Iran and the United States an important step in ending the conflict, praising the role of countries in the region.

Quoted from the UN website, Monday (15/6), the UN Secretary-General welcomed the new peace agreement between the US and Iran, calling it an "important step" towards ending the conflict.

According to a statement issued by his spokesman, the agreement includes an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a framework for further negotiations.

The Secretary-General expressed "deep appreciation" for the role of Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and other regional countries in supporting the negotiations.

He further said that he hoped that the parties would take advantage of this momentum and "redouble their efforts" towards a final settlement.

He also reiterated that the UN is ready to support efforts towards "lasting and comprehensive peace."

It is known that the latest conflict in the Middle East broke out when the US and Israel launched an attack on Iran on February 28.

The Mullah's country retaliated with attacks on Israeli territory and US-related infrastructure in the Gulf countries.

The fighting led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane that normally carries around 20 percent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas.

Despite a ceasefire agreed in April, the US and Iran have sporadically fired at each other, including two rounds of retaliatory attacks this week.

On Sunday morning, Secretary-General Guterres strongly condemned the Israeli air raids in Beirut.

In a separate statement, he said the attack came despite an ongoing ceasefire and at a time when Washington and Tehran are expected to reach an agreement to help pave the way for peace.

The UN Secretary-General warned that the conflict had a "devastating impact" on the global economy and urged all parties to show "maximum restraint" at a crucial time.

He also expressed hope for a successful outcome from ongoing efforts between the United States and Iran.

The crisis in Lebanon is part of tensions in the wider region. The crisis erupted on March 2, just days after the US and Israel began bombing Iran, prompting the Lebanese Hezbollah militants to fire at Israel.

As previously reported, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday, "The Peace Deal between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran has been reached."

"Both sides have declared an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon," Prime Minister Sharif said in a social media post on Sunday night.

In turn, President Donald Trump on Sunday announced a peace deal with Iran had been reached and the United States would end its naval blockade of the country, marking the most significant development in months of negotiations.

"The deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all!" President Trump stated in a post on Truth Social.

President Trump said the deal would include a commitment from Iran not to acquire nuclear weapons and the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said on Sunday, the text of the memorandum of understanding with the United States had been completed and would be officially signed on Friday in Switzerland.