NEW YORK(RAHNUMA): United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday welcomed the opening of Strait of Hormuz by Iran and said it was “a step in the right direction.”
The Secretary-General welcomed the announcement that the strait is now completely open for all commercial vessels for the remainder of the ceasefire, according to Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the Guterres.
“The United Nations’ position remains clear: we need the full restoration of international navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz to be respected by all parties,” a UN statement said.
“The Secretary-General remains fully supportive of the diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful path forward out of the current conflict in the Middle East.
“He also hopes that, together with the ceasefire, this measure will contribute to creating confidence between the parties and strengthen the ongoing dialogue facilitated by Pakistan,” it added.
The leaders of France and the UK on Friday also welcomed the announcement, but said freedom of navigation must be permanently restored to the key oil route choked by the US-Israeli war on Iran.
President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Keir Starmer said they would keep planning an international mission to restore maritime security, which Starmer said will be deployed “as soon as conditions allow.” They said military planners will meet in London next week.
Speaking after a gathering of some 50 countries and international organizations, Macron said “we all demand the full, immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by all parties.”
