US and Iran Getting Hotter, UN Urges Return to the Negotiating Table

JAKARTA - The United Nations (UN) urged the United States and Iran to immediately return to the negotiating table amid the escalating conflict between the two countries and the world institution assessed that diplomacy was an urgent step to maintain regional and global stability.

The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General said the reciprocal actions between the two parties must be stopped immediately.

"This reciprocal situation must be stopped. The return of the diplomatic track is very urgent for regional stability and global stability," Dujarric told reporters when asked for a response to UN Secretary-General António Guterres' reaction to the latest developments in the Middle East, quoted in Jakarta, Friday.

"We continue to discuss the impact of this conflict on the world economy. All parties involved need to understand that the best way to end this conflict is to return to the negotiating table," Dujarric added.

Early Wednesday, US forces launched a series of major attacks against Iran.

The United States Central Command (US Central Command/CENTCOM) stated that the attack was a response to Iran's actions against merchant ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz.

On the other hand, the Iranian military reported that it had launched a retaliatory attack on US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. The Iranian government also accused Washington of violating a memorandum of understanding on cessation of hostilities.

On Wednesday (8/7) morning, US President Donald Trump stated that the ceasefire with Iran was no longer in effect. This was quoted by Antara from Sputnik.