3 hrs ago
UN Warns of Escalation After Hormuz Maritime Incidents
The United Nations is worried that tensions are growing around the Strait of Hormuz.
Reports described attacks on commercial ships and threats to important maritime and energy facilities.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asked all sides to stay calm.
He said ships must be allowed to travel freely under international law.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it captured an American underwater drone.
Iran also said it shot down an MQ-9 Reaper drone.
The United States said one underwater drone had malfunctioned during a survey, without confirming that Iran captured it.
The UN urged the sides to use talks and diplomacy to prevent a bigger conflict.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over reported escalation in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
The United Nations cited attacks on commercial vessels and threats against maritime and energy infrastructure.
Guterres called for navigational rights and freedom of navigation to be restored under international law.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it captured a United States unmanned underwater vehicle and shot down an MQ-9 Reaper drone.
The United States said one of its underwater drones malfunctioned during a regional survey but did not say whether Iran seized it.
- Who
- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, through spokesman Stephane Dujarric, addressed the escalation; Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the United States provided differing accounts of an underwater drone incident.
- What
- The UN warned about escalating incidents around the Strait of Hormuz, including reported attacks on commercial vessels and threats to maritime and energy infrastructure.
- Where
- In and around the Strait of Hormuz, including its entrance and surrounding regional waters.
- When
- The UN statement was issued Wednesday local time; the Iranian announcements about the underwater vehicle and MQ-9 Reaper drone came Tuesday.
- Why
- Guterres said further escalation could harm civilians, regional stability, international peace and security, and the global economy.
Iranian Account
United States Account
Underwater drone incident
Iranian Account
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its forces captured a United States Dive-LD unmanned underwater vehicle in a complex intelligence and operational operation.
United States Account
The United States military said one of its underwater drones malfunctioned during a survey of regional waters and did not state that Iran had seized it.
MQ-9 Reaper incident
Iranian Account
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its air-defense systems shot down an MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz.
United States Account
The United States account cited in the report did not address or independently confirm Iran’s statement about the MQ-9 Reaper.
Key facts
- UN position
- Guterres called for utmost restraint, dialogue, negotiations, and de-escalation.
- Navigation
- The UN said navigational rights and freedom of navigation must be fully restored and respected under international law.
- Iranian claim
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it captured a Dive-LD unmanned underwater vehicle at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz.
- United States account
- The United States said one of its underwater drones malfunctioned more than a day earlier during a survey of regional waters.
- Additional Iranian claim
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its air-defense systems shot down an MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz.
- Potential consequences
- The UN warned that further escalation could have grave consequences for civilians, regional stability, international peace and security, and the global economy.
Quotes
Stephane Dujarric
Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
“The secretary-general is deeply concerned by reports of further escalations in and around the Strait of Hormuz over the past days, including attacks against commercial vessels and threats of additional action against maritime and energy infrastructure.”
thehansindia.com
“The UN recalls the secretary-general's appeal to all concerned to exercise utmost restraint and refrain from actions and rhetoric that could further inflame an already volatile situation.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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