Agreement cannot be reached overnight, talks should continue: UNSG on West Asia war 14.04.2026

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged continued constructive dialogue between Iran and the United States following 21 hours of talks hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad, which concluded without an agreement to end the West Asia conflict. While acknowledging that deep-seated differences mean an agreement "cannot be reached overnight," Guterres stressed that the "ceasefire must absolutely be preserved" and all violations must cease, emphasizing that there is no military solution to the current Middle East conflict. The UN chief also highlighted the dire situation of approximately 20,000 stranded seafarers and the global economic implications of disrupted maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz, thanking mediators like Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Türkiye for their efforts.
















