Source: UN News: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 00:01 AM
The UN Secretary-General has warned that unlawful attacks in the Middle East are causing deep suffering to civilians and this situation is a serious risk to the global economy. He has said that if this conflict is not stopped immediately then the situation can go out of everyone’s control. The impact of the fierce violent conflict triggered by the Israeli and American bombing of Iran on February 28 and the subsequent Iranian retaliatory attacks is being felt in about 16 countries in the Middle East. At the same time, the movement of ships is on the verge of stopping completely in the ‘Strait of Hormuz’, the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, through which a large part of the global oil and gas supply and commercial goods. Part passes. Amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, shipping companies have started imposing a surcharge of approximately $3,000 per container as ’emergency fees’.UN Secretary General António Guterres has described the situation of conflict in the Middle East as extremely worrying, warning that it is a major threat to the global economy and the situation can go out of everyone’s control. “It is time to stop the fighting and return to serious diplomatic talks.” He said there is a lot at stake and the situation is extremely serious. Serious risks for the world UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe Tom Fletcher, head of the UN humanitarian office, briefs journalists on the situation in the Middle East at UN headquarters in New York. United Nations Emergency Relief CoordinatorOCHA) According to Tom Fletcher, this is a moment of grave risk for the world, with violent conflicts escalating, and humanitarian crises becoming interconnected. The UN Under-Secretary-General has warned that the growing scope of violent conflict in the Middle East could lead to a worsening humanitarian situation throughout the region and beyond. He said that the disruption of the sea route in the ‘Strait of Hormuz’ could lead to a surge in food prices. The pressure on health systems is expected to increase and the delivery of humanitarian aid will become difficult. UN Humanitarian Office (OCHA) chief Tom Fletcher told reporters in New York on Friday that the risks of the fighting could go out of the control of those instigating it. “Huge resources are being poured into the war, while humanitarian aid budgets are being cut.” Urging all parties to exercise restraint and immediately return to diplomacy, he said that we need to reduce tension and stop conflict. UN Charter Accordingly, we will have to move towards meaningful dialogue and negotiation and work with a cool mind.