JAKARTA - United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk emphasized that the return of the war between the United States and Iran was a heavy blow to civilians in the Middle East and threatened the stability of the region.
In a statement published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Turk said the escalation also hindered peace efforts and increased the risk of human rights violations.
"The return of a wider conflict in the Middle East between the US and Iran is a major setback for civilians in the region and beyond. It undermines peace efforts and deepens instability, with serious risks to human rights throughout the region," Turk said, quoted by ANTARA from Sputnik, Wednesday, July 15.
The UN calls on all parties to the conflict to comply with international humanitarian law, including taking all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian objects, and to re-implement and comply with the ceasefire in accordance with international law.
The UN is also concerned about reports of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as it has the potential to have wide humanitarian impacts.
"The report on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is very worrying because the impact on human rights goes far beyond the region. Disruption of the distribution of food, medicine, and other essential commodities will have social, economic, and humanitarian consequences, both regionally and globally," said Turk.
US forces have launched a number of waves of attacks against Iran since July 8. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the attacks were a response to Iran's actions against commercial vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran then retaliated by attacking a number of US military bases in several Middle Eastern countries.
On Sunday, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until the United States stopped its intervention in the region, following the resumption of mutual attacks between the two countries.
Then on July 13, 2026, US President Donald Trump declared that the United States would be the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz. He also announced the reintroduction of a blockade on Iranian ports.
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