Ankara: A senior UN official on Friday called for the rapid implementation of a confidence-building mechanism to restore safe maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Anadolu Agency, Jorge Moreira da Silva, UN under-secretary-general, executive director of the UN Office for Project Services, and coordinator of the UN Strait of Hormuz Task Force, expressed concern over the escalating conflict in the Middle East. He noted that the situation has evolved from merely disrupting shipping routes to being further aggravated by these disruptions. Da Silva emphasized that the disturbances in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes are contributing to rising energy and food prices, endangering millions with the risk of acute food insecurity.
Da Silva stated, "The Mechanism is ready to become operational, subject to the will of all Parties in the conflict and in the region." He urged for the implementation of an operational mechanism to foster confidence and trust among involved parties. Furthermore, he reiterated Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' calls for restraint and de-escalation, highlighting that reducing civilian risks and restoring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz should be the international community's immediate priority.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric informed reporters that the UN Office for Project Services is prepared to deploy the mechanism swiftly. When questioned about a possible timeline, Dujarric mentioned that it could be operational "in a matter of weeks ... very quickly." He added, "The point is, we can't impose anything, so it's a matter of when the parties, the belligerents in this conflict, say 'yes, this is a good idea. We want to go forward with this.'"
Regional tensions have intensified over the past two weeks following President Donald Trump's announcement on July 8 that the ceasefire outlined in the Islamabad memorandum of understanding was no longer valid. Since then, the US and Iran have exchanged strikes, with Washington targeting sites inside Iran, while Tehran claims it has attacked US military facilities and equipment in several countries in the region.