UN chief deeply concerned by serious escalation in Gulf region

UNITED NATIONS, July 13 — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned by the serious escalation and renewed military confrontations in the Gulf, including the Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the attacks by the United States on Iran, and the attacks by Iran on targets in the neighboring countries, his spokesperson said on Sunday.

The UN chief “calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, avoid further escalatory action and take immediate steps to de-escalate,” spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.