UN agencies urge de‑escalation in Strait of Hormuz amid US‑Iran tensions

Washington and Tehran each assert that they dominate the narrow Strait of Hormuz, the vital commercial artery through which a significant share of global oil and gas passes. The competing claims have intensified after a recent surge in missile and drone strikes in the region, actions that both sides link to the ongoing US‑Iran confrontation. The heightened military activity has raised concerns about the safety of merchant vessels and the potential for broader disruption of international energy supplies.

On Monday, United Nations agencies issued a joint appeal for de‑escalation, urging all parties to refrain from further attacks and to ensure the free flow of commerce through the strait. The UN statement highlighted the risk that continued hostilities pose to regional stability and to the global economy, and called for diplomatic measures to resolve the dispute and prevent further escalation.