UNITED NATIONS, July 16 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he is concerned about the ongoing military tension in the Middle East.
UN Secretary-General Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Wednesday that Guterres called on all parties to reduce tensions and take urgent steps to return to dialogue and diplomacy.
The spokesman said, "The Secretary-General reiterated his warning that a return to full-scale conflicts would have intolerable consequences for civilians and would have disastrous effects on international peace and security and the global economy. Guterres also reiterated his call for the full restoration of international navigation rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz and its surroundings, stating that the exercise of these rights should be respected by all parties in accordance with international law."