UN urges US, Iran to resume talks

United Nations: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the United States and Iran to return to meaningful negotiations and resolve their six-month-long conflict through diplomacy.

Responding to questions on the stalled US-Iran talks, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the continued conflict was a “sad marker” and reiterated that diplomacy remained the only path towards a solution.

“This is a sad marker of six months of this ongoing conflict. We again stress that the only solution to this is a diplomatic solution. And we urge both the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran to engage in meaningful negotiations,” Dujarric said.

He said the United Nations supported mediation initiatives led by Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Guterres has remained in close contact with these countries as they work to facilitate dialogue between the two sides, Dujarric added.

The UN chief remains deeply concerned about the conflict’s severe humanitarian and economic consequences, including its effect on global food supplies, the movement of humanitarian aid, fertiliser availability and energy prices, the spokesperson said.

Jean Arnault, the secretary-general’s personal envoy for the conflict, continues to remain available and is in touch with both parties and mediators to help secure a durable settlement, he added.

The United States and Israel launched military attacks on Iran on February 28, following which Iran retaliated by striking Israel and US military bases in the Gulf region.

The conflict also led to a near-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route for global energy trade, severely disrupting the movement of oil and other commodities.

On June 18, the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to begin negotiations within 60 days for a final agreement. However, the future of the talks remains uncertain after renewed escalation between the two countries.

(Inputs from IANS)