Guterres urges diplomacy as Trump announces Iran negotiations

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on Friday for renewed diplomatic efforts after US President Donald Trump announced negotiations with Iran, but without a ceasefire. Guterres expressed cautious optimism about a 'kind of truce in military activity' in recent hours while warning of 'catastrophic consequences' if hostilities escalate Source: infobaeSource: diariolibree.

What happened

Trump declared the previous month's ceasefire over on Wednesday, accusing Iran of being 'basura' (trash) and threatening renewed military action Source: infobae. However, on Friday he announced that Washington would maintain negotiations with Tehran to end the conflict, though insisting the ceasefire had already expired Source: diariolibree. The US had launched strikes on southern Iran in response to Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz Source: infobae.

The reaction

Guterres' spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated, 'We have reports that conversations are ongoing, and we hope that is the case' Source: infobae. The UN chief had earlier urged both sides to 'urgently' resume talks after the ceasefire collapse, stressing that recent military incidents threatened diplomatic progress Source: infobae. Qatar and Pakistan, acting as mediators, sent representatives to Tehran in coordination with Washington to de-escalate tensions Source: diariolibree.

Key points

• Ceasefire timeline: A memorandum of understanding was signed on June 17 to end the war and unblock the Strait of Hormuz, but Trump declared it void after renewed fighting over the weekend Source: diariolibree.
• Diplomatic channels: Qatari and Pakistani envoys visited Iran for talks, coordinated with the US, according to diplomatic sources cited by CNN Source: infobae.
• Guterres' warning: The Secretary-General stressed that a return to large-scale hostilities would have 'catastrophic consequences' for regional and global peace and the economy Source: infobae.