‘Civilian vessels, commercial shipping must not become targets,’ says assistant secretary-general
A UN official warned on Friday that growing tensions and attacks on commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab threaten international peace and security, regional stability and the global economy.
Khaled Khiari, assistant secretary-general for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, told the UN Security Council virtually that maritime incidents had continued to increase, with commercial vessels facing different forms of attacks and numerous ships and their crews stranded inside the Gulf for months.
“Civilian vessels and commercial shipping must not become targets,” he said, reiterating warnings by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about the risks posed by continued tensions in the strategically important waterways.
Briefing the Council at Bahrain’s request, under the agenda item on the ongoing situation in the Gulf and its implications for international peace and security, Khiari said restrictions on maritime navigation were adding to uncertainty despite the restoration of much of the region’s energy exports through alternative routes.
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He cautioned, however, that the recovery of energy exports should not be mistaken for a return to normal conditions, noting that maritime shipments remained below pre-conflict levels.
October recorded the highest monthly number of incidents against commercial shipping since February, according to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
The IMO had recorded 134 confirmed incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle East maritime area as of November 11. Twenty-five seafarers had been killed, while many were injured or remained missing, said Khiari.
Economic consequences of maritime disruptions
The UN official warned that the current maritime arrangements in the Middle East remained “costly, unpredictable and unsafe,” with disruptions having significant consequences for the global economy.
Restrictions on shipping have raised energy, transportation, and insurance costs, fueled inflation, and threatened food security, particularly amid severely constrained fertiliser shipments.
“The longer these restrictions persist, the greater the economic costs and the more difficult it will become to restore commercial confidence and trade flows,” said Khiari.
He stressed that the situation must not become “the new normal,” urging the full restoration of maritime navigation and safe, unimpeded passage in accordance with international law.
Citing the secretary-general’s position, Khiari said maritime chokepoints must never be used as instruments of coercion and that the movement of food, energy, fertilizer and other essential goods must not be obstructed.
UN urges Iran, US to pursue diplomacy
Turning to wider regional tensions, Khiari said the UN was encouraged that there had been no major military exchanges between the US and Iran since early September.
But he expressed concern about rhetoric suggesting the possibility of renewed military confrontation.
Despite the resumption of military action following the signing of the memorandum and a stalemate in negotiations, including on the nuclear issue and sanctions, Khiari welcomed the resumption of diplomatic activities in Doha and elsewhere in the region.
“We urge the parties to seize the current opportunities and negotiate in good faith. We hope that the mediators’ efforts will help Iran and the United States reach a peaceful and durable settlement,” he said.
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Khiari also welcomed efforts by regional countries to develop arrangements to improve maritime security, describing them as important contributions that could complement a broader political process.
He said countries in the region had an important role in building confidence, sustaining diplomatic engagement, reducing tensions, and encouraging compromise.
Warning of the consequences of renewed hostilities, he said another escalation would have devastating implications for Iran, the wider Middle East and the international community.
“The people of the region, and indeed the wider international community, cannot afford a prolonged conflict in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways,” Khiari told the Council.
‘GCC states reject any infringement’
Separately, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), said he is addressing the Council “with a unified Gulf voice.”
“The GCC states reject any infringement upon their security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” he said.
Albudaiwi said the GCC reaffirms that attacks on member countries violate international law, threaten international peace and security, and require Council action.
The GCC urged the Council to take measures to end Iranian attacks against member states and Houthi attacks, and to protect navigation vessels, crews and energy facilities.
“In conclusion, I wish to affirm that the GCC states are an active and reliable partner in supporting regional and international security and stability, and a fundamental pillar of the global economy and energy security,” he said.
Member states will continue to fulfil their responsibilities in supporting mediation, peace, development and humanitarian efforts, he said.
