Secretary-General says U.S.-Iran talks are likely to resume; notes $12 million for UN country team aid

At a press briefing, a reporter asked whether talks between the United States and Iran might resume and whether the United Nations had been able to get humanitarian aid into Iran. The Secretary-General said negotiations must continue and described them as "essential," adding that it would be unrealistic to expect a single session to resolve a long-standing, complex problem.

"We need negotiations to go on and we need a ceasefire to persist as negotiations go on," the Secretary-General said. When asked about humanitarian assistance, he said the transcript indicates about $12 million had been "attributed" to the UN country team to provide assistance "to people in dire need of that assistance," but he did not specify the source of those funds in the briefing.

On prospects for resumed diplomacy, he said the indication he has is that "it is highly probable that these talks will restart." He also said he had met with Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister and expressed "enormous admiration" for Pakistans initiative to help bring peace to the Middle East.

The Secretary-Generals answers framed the situation as one in which continued diplomatic engagement and humanitarian support are both necessary steps while negotiators pursue a longer-term settlement.