UN urges US and Iran to immediately return to negotiating table

United Nations Headquarters, New York - The United Nations (UN) has urged the United States and Iran to immediately return to the negotiating table amid the heating up conflict between the two countries, with the world body assessing that diplomacy is an urgent step to maintain regional and global stability.

Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, said the retaliatory actions between the two parties must be stopped immediately.

"This situation of retaliation must stop. A return to the diplomatic path is very urgent for the sake of regional stability and global stability," Dujarric told reporters when asked for a response regarding Secretary-General António Guterres’ reaction to the latest developments in the Middle East.

"We continue to discuss the impact of this conflict on the world economy. All parties involved need to understand that the best way to end this conflict is to return to the negotiating table," Dujarric added.

In the early hours of Wednesday, United States forces launched a series of major strikes against Iran. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) stated the strikes were a response to Iran’s actions against commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

On the other side, the Iranian military reported launching retaliatory strikes against United States military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. The Iranian government also accused Washington of violating a memorandum of understanding regarding the cessation of hostilities.

On Wednesday morning (8/7), United States President Donald Trump stated that the ceasefire with Iran was no longer in effect.