Guterres: A call for diplomacy, de-escalation in the Middle East, and the resumption of negotiations

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres outlined in his remarks a number of positions related to developments in the Middle East and the paths toward de-escalation and negotiations, stressing the priority of political and diplomatic solutions.

In his remarks, he said:

"-The indicators available to the United Nations point to a strong possibility of talks with Iran resuming

-Whenever Hezbollah fires rockets at Israel, it immediately uses this as a pretext to launch large-scale operations against Lebanon

-There is no military solution to the crisis in the Middle East

-We need negotiations to continue and a ceasefire at the same time

-The time has come for restraint and responsibility; the time has come for diplomacy instead of escalation and for renewed commitment to international law

-The rights of international navigation must be respected, including in the Strait of Hormuz, by all parties

-No one expects the Israel-Lebanon talks today to solve all problems, but they are extremely important in creating the right conditions for change

-Agreements require political will and sustained engagement

-There must be a return to U.S.-Iran negotiations, the achievement of a permanent ceasefire, and the establishment of peace"