United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Thursday the conflict in the Middle East has spiraled “out of control,” warning of a widening war, mounting civilian suffering and a deepening global economic shock.
Speaking to reporters at UN headquarters, Guterres said that more than three weeks after the outbreak of hostilities, the fighting had exceeded even the worst expectations of regional leaders.
“The world is staring down the barrel of a wider war,” he said, calling for an immediate halt to escalation and a return to diplomacy and international law.
Guterres said he had appointed Jean Arnault as his personal envoy to intensify mediation efforts, including engaging directly with parties on the ground and supporting ongoing peace initiatives.
He urged the United States and Israel to end the war, citing rising civilian casualties and worsening economic fallout.
He also called on Iran to stop attacks on neighbouring countries not directly involved in the conflict, noting that the UN Security Council had condemned such actions.
The secretary-general highlighted concerns over disruptions to key shipping routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, warning that prolonged closure could choke the flow of oil, gas and fertilizers at a critical time for global agriculture.
“Without fertilizers today, we might have hunger tomorrow,” he said, pointing to risks for food security in developing countries already vulnerable to inflation and debt.
Guterres also addressed the situation in Lebanon, where he recently visited, urging Hezbollah to halt attacks into Israel and calling on Israel to stop military operations that he said were disproportionately affecting civilians.
“The Gaza model must not be replicated in Lebanon,” he said.
Global markets have been roiled by the conflict, while humanitarian operations face severe constraints, he added, with the poorest and most vulnerable bearing the brunt of the crisis.
Responding to questions, Guterres said diplomacy remained the only viable path forward despite signs of further escalation, including reported troop deployments and rejected proposals between the United States and Iran.
“My message is that diplomacy must prevail,” he said. “We need a way out of this disaster. Peace is the way out.”
