UN Secretary-General urges restraint after U.S.-Iran strikes, welcomes Doha talks

The UN Secretary-General told the Security Council that recent military exchanges between the United States and Iran — including drone strikes on commercial vessels and retaliatory strikes on military infrastructure — have shown the fragility of the situation and carry an acute risk of further escalation.

He recounted that on 25 June an Iranian drone struck the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel Ever Lovely in the Strait of Hormuz and that a drone also hit the Panama-flagged tanker Kokuka Courageous near Oman. "The International Maritime Organization is reviewing the incident," the Secretary-General said, adding that the incidents had been described by the United States as violations of the memorandum of understanding and a threat to freedom of navigation.

The Secretary-General reported that the United States carried out strikes on Iran's coastal military infrastructure in Hormozgan province on 26 June, followed by a second wave the following day. He said the United States characterized those actions as a "direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping." He further reported that the Iranian Foreign Ministry called the strikes a "blatant violation" of the memorandum of understanding.

"Overnight into 28 June, Iran said it had targeted United States military infrastructure in the Gulf, launching ballistic missiles and armed drones," the Secretary-General said, identifying reported targets including Ali Al Salem Airbase in Kuwait and the United States Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. He added that Iran warned further violations of the ceasefire would halt diplomatic processes and could prompt a "crushing response." The Secretary-General also noted that later on 28 June the United States conducted further strikes.

On civilian impacts, the Secretary-General said the United States reported no casualties among its personnel and no damage to U.S. installations in Bahrain and Kuwait. He said Bahrain reported intercepting several aerial threats and that a residential building had been damaged (no casualties reported), and that Kuwaiti authorities reported intercepting two ballistic missiles in their airspace on 28 June.

Condemning attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, the Secretary-General said: "Such actions are unacceptable. Residential areas, ports, energy facilities, commercial vessels, and maritime personnel must be protected." He emphasized upholding navigational rights and warned that merchant shipping should not be used "as a tool of pressure."

The statement also highlighted economic consequences: maritime traffic remains below pre-crisis levels, he said, and restoring flows of oil, gas, fertilizer and other critical commodities is necessary to relieve pressure on the global economy. He reported that Iran and Oman held talks on 29 June about implementing provisions of the 17 June memorandum of understanding and said the breadth of regional diplomatic engagement — including by Qatar, Pakistan and Oman — reflected the gravity of the moment.

The Secretary-General reported that on 28 June the United States and Iran agreed to cease attacks on one another, and that Qatar would host indirect talks in Doha starting on 30 June to work on implementing the 17 June memorandum of understanding. "This decision offers a measure of hope that dialogue and diplomacy can regain momentum," he said, while also warning that "each new strike, each new interception, each new maritime incident increases the risk of miscalculation."

He closed by urging all parties to act with maximum restraint, comply with their obligations under international law — including protection of civilians and preservation of freedom of navigation — and sustain political will for diplomacy. The Secretary-General said the United Nations remains committed to supporting efforts to prevent a return to conflict and to advance a lasting resolution. Talks in Doha were ongoing at the time of his remarks.