UN Secretary-General calls for avoiding escalation in Strait of Hormuz

SANAA, July 23 (YPA) – The Secretary-General of the United Nations,António Guterres, called on all parties in the Strait of Hormuz to exercise restraint and avoid escalation.

“The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about recent reports of seizure of ships, including in the Strait of Hormuz,” Deputy Secretary-General Farhan Haq told reporters.

The Secretary-General stressed the need to respect rights and fulfill duties in accordance with international law in relation to maritime navigation.

“The Secretary-General urges everyone to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from actions that increase tensions,” Haq said.

Earlier this month, a British naval force detained the Iranian oil tanker Grace 1 in the strait of Gibraltar under the pretext of “suspected breach of European sanctions by transferring oil to Syria.” Iran responded by holding a British tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, under the pretext is that it shocked a fishing boat and disrespectful navigation laws