Guterres urges all parties to show maximum restraint amid renewed US and Iran ceasefire agreement
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to delegates during a meeting on Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty at U.N. headquarters in New York City, US, April 27, 2026. REUTERS
United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, condemned new Israeli strikes amid important ceasefire negotiations between Iran and the US.
“I strongly condemn today’s Israeli strikes on Beirut. The strikes took place despite the ceasefire & at a time when the US & Iran are expected to reach an agreement that will pave the way to a peaceful resolution of this conflict’, he said in a post on X.
I strongly condemn today’s Israeli strikes on Beirut. The strikes took place despite the ceasefire & at a time when the US & Iran are expected to reach an agreement that will pave the way to a peaceful resolution of this conflict.
This conflict is having a devastating impact on…
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) June 14, 2026
He said the conflict have devastating effects on the world economy.
“I urge all parties to show maximum restraint at this crucial moment & I strongly hope for a successful outcome of the ongoing efforts by the US & Iran,’ he added.
Read: Israel says strikes Hezbollah targets In Beirut’s southern suburbs
On Thursday, he said that all parties must work toward a diplomatic settlement that fully respects the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of Lebanon.
In a post on X, Guterres added that there must be a comprehensive ceasefire and said he fully supports a monopoly on weapons by the Lebanese government.
Ceasefire violation
On Sunday, Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday for the second time in a week in response to what it said was Hezbollah fire at northern Israel, while its military also carried out broader strikes on southern Lebanon.
The latest escalation came despite expectations that a deal between the United States and Iran to end the Middle East war could be imminent, as Tehran insists a ceasefire in Lebanon must be part of any deal.
Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) said a strike hit an apartment in the Ghobeiry neighbourhood of Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold known as Dahiyeh.
In April, Israel and Lebanon began landmark direct talks in Washington seeking to halt the hostilities, with a fifth round scheduled later this month between the two countries, which have no formal diplomatic relations.
Neither Israel nor Hezbollah has respected a ceasefire announced in April after the first round.