UN: There is no military solution to the conflict in the Middle East

There is no military solution to the current conflict in the Middle East, according to a statement by the official spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric.

"While the negotiations in Islamabad between the United States and Iran did not result in an agreement, the discussions themselves underscored the seriousness of their engagement and represented a positive and significant step toward resuming dialogue," Dujarric stated.

He emphasized that an agreement cannot be reached overnight and called for the continuation of constructive negotiations. At the same time, he said, the ceasefire must be maintained, and all violations must cease.

The UN Secretary-General thanked the mediators — Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey — and urged the international community to support these efforts. He also stressed that all parties to the conflict must respect freedom of navigation, including through the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with international law. The statement noted that approximately 20,000 seafarers have been "caught in the crossfire" of this conflict, and disruptions to maritime trade through the strait have already led to increased global economic instability and worsened food security for millions of vulnerable people worldwide.