The UN Secretary-General has urged all sides in the ongoing Middle East conflict to step back and prioritize diplomacy before the situation spins out of control.
The United States and Israel must end their bombing campaign, while Iran needs to stop attacking Gulf neighbors that have played no direct role in the conflict, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said.
Guterres spoke to reporters outside the European Council in Brussels, where he briefed regional leaders on the importance of continued multilateral cooperation between the European Union (EU) and the United Nations.
He warned that the U.S. and Israel must halt their assault on Iran before it spirals “completely out of control,” which could lead to more civilian suffering—particularly in least developed countries, where rising energy prices and supply chain disruptions could have “tragic consequences.”
At the European Council, UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres warns of escalating global risks, calling on parties to choose diplomacy over war, safeguard civilians, and prevent wider economic and humanitarian consequences. pic.twitter.com/cUlfE8qR79
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) March 19, 2026
Beyond the immediate human toll, the conflict threatens a heavy economic cost for the region and the global economy.
Major energy exporters in the Gulf face production and infrastructure disruptions, while energy-importing nations confront soaring fuel costs, inflation, and supply chain instability.
Recent attacks on energy infrastructure in Iran, Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait, combined with the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, have intensified fears of a global oil supply crunch, heightening the risk of economic strain for multiple economies.
Energy Site Attacks in Iran War Heighten Global Economic Risks
Attacks by Israel and Iran on natural gas fields and other energy infrastructure in the Gulf have driven prices sharply higher for consumers, while multiple countries have called on Tehran to cease attacks and threats to shipping in the vital Strait of Hormuz.
Guterres urged Iran: “Stop attacking your neighbours; they were never parties to the conflict. The Security Council has condemned these attacks,” and called for the reopening of the strait.
“The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz causes enormous pain to people around the world who have nothing to do with this conflict,” the UN chief added.
“It’s time for the force of law to prevail over the law of force. It’s time for diplomacy to prevail over war,” he said.
Iftikhar Ali is a veteran Pakistani journalist, former president of UN Correspondents Association, and a recipient of the Pride of Performance civil award
