UN chief Guterres urges immediate reopening of Strait of Hormuz

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday demanded the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as US-Iran peace talks remain stalled. “I appeal to the parties: Open the Strait. Let ships pass. No tolls. No discrimination. Let trade resume. Let the global economy breathe,” Guterres said at a high-level UN Security Council debate on maritime security. The strait, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows, has faced major disruptions since early March following the US-Israeli offensive on Iran that began Feb. 28.

Human and economic toll

“Since early March, the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has struck at global energy security, food supplies, and trade. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints,” Guterres said. He added that the economic shock has been immediate and “everyone is paying the price.” Beyond economics, he highlighted the human cost: more than 20,000 seafarers remain stranded at sea, while over 2,000 commercial vessels are caught in uncertain and often dangerous conditions. “These men and women are not parties to any conflict. They are civilian workers keeping the world supplied,” he said.

Legal framework and offer of mediation

Guterres emphasized that international law, including navigational rights under the Law of the Sea and UN Security Council Resolution 2817, must be upheld. “The Charter’s prohibition of the threat or use of force applies fully at sea,” he said. The UN chief offered his mediation to help resolve tensions, pointing to past efforts such as the Black Sea Grain Initiative as proof that cooperation is possible even during conflict. “The ocean must be a zone of peace and cooperation — not confrontation or coercion,” Guterres stated.