UN Secretary-General urges US and Iran to resume peace negotiations

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the United States and Iran to immediately resume negotiations to reach a peaceful and sustainable resolution to their ongoing conflict. This call follows the expiration of a 60-day negotiation period established by U.S. President Donald Trump under the terms of the Iran Agreement signed in Versailles on June 18.

Guterres, through spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, also called on both Washington and Tehran to lower their political rhetoric and prevent further military escalation. Tensions escalated after President Trump declared the June 18 ceasefire invalid on July 8, leading to U.S. military strikes. The U.S. Central Command stated these actions were responses to Iranian interference with commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran responded by targeting U.S. bases across the Middle East, accusing Washington of violating the ceasefire.

While Middle Eastern mediators have assisted in efforts to draft new terms for an agreement, President Trump recently expressed skepticism, stating that Washington has been negotiating with Tehran "half-heartedly" amid reports of a deteriorating Iranian economy.