Geneva, UN
Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific
Madam President,
Thank you for the opportunity to brief the Security Council.
At the outset, let me reiterate the Secretary-General’s strong warnings that continued tensions in and around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab pose grave risks to international peace and security, regional stability and the global economy.
Every day brings new reports of maritime incidents. Commercial vessels are subjected to different types of attacks. Many commercial vessels and their crews have been stranded inside the Persian Gulf for months. Restrictions on maritime navigation by the parties add further uncertainty.
While we take note of reports that the volume of energy exports out of the Gulf region has largely been restored, including due to alternative routes, this should not be mistaken for a return to normality. The volume of maritime shipments remains below the pre-conflict levels.
October saw the highest monthly number of incidents against commercial shipping since February 2026. As of 11 November, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recorded 134 confirmed incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle East maritime area. Twenty-five seafarers lost their lives, according to the IMO. Many others have been injured or remain missing.
These incidents are unacceptable. Civilian vessels and commercial shipping must not become targets.
While there have been no recent reports of attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, ongoing clashes around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the potential disruption of maritime navigation, and the continued threats to freedom of navigation remain of deep concern.
On the same note, we also reiterate our concerns and condemnation of Houthi cross-border attacks against civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and the intensification of clashes across Yemen.
Madam President,
The present maritime arrangements in the Middle East remain costly, unpredictable, and unsafe. Disruptions to maritime navigation continue to have significant global economic consequences, driving up energy, transport and insurance costs, fueling inflation and threatening food security amid severely constrained fertilizer shipments.
The longer these restrictions persist, the greater the economic costs and the more difficult it will become to restore commercial confidence and trade flows. This situation cannot be allowed to become the new normal. The full restoration of maritime navigation in the region, and the restoration of safe and unimpeded passage, along with the full exercise of navigational rights and freedoms in accordance with international law, are essential for regional and global stability.
As the Secretary-General emphasized on numerous occasions, maritime chokepoints must never become instruments of coercion. The movement of food, energy, fertilizer, and other essential goods must not be impeded.
The Secretary-General continues to emphasize that navigational rights and freedoms must be restored without delay, and all attacks on civilian vessels must stop immediately. Arrangements governing maritime traffic should be consistent with international law and applicable regulations of the IMO. We call on all parties to comply fully with their obligations under international law, including the law of the sea and relevant resolutions of the Security Council. Cooperation with the IMO to enhance the safety and security of navigation in a manner consistent with international law is also critical.
Madam President,
Maritime developments cannot be separated from the wider tensions in the region. We are encouraged that there have been no major military exchanges since early September. At the same time, we remain deeply concerned by rhetoric suggesting the possibility of renewed military confrontation.
The agreements reached in June between Iran and the United States, as contained in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), demonstrated that diplomacy can produce results.
Despite the regrettable resumption of military action since the signature of the MoU and a stalemate in negotiations, including the nuclear file and sanctions, we welcome the resumption of diplomatic activities in Doha and elsewhere in the region.
We urge the parties to seize the current opportunities and negotiate in good faith. We hope that the mediators’ efforts will help Iran and the United States reach a peaceful and durable settlement.
Madam President,
We are encouraged by continued efforts by regional States to explore arrangements to improve maritime security. These efforts are important. They can complement a broader political process. The countries of the region have an important role in advancing confidence-building measures, sustaining diplomatic engagement, reducing tensions, and encouraging compromise.
Renewed hostilities would have devastating consequences for Iran, the region and beyond. The people of the region, and indeed the wider international community, cannot afford a prolonged conflict in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
Diplomacy, compromise and political courage remain the only path to lasting peace.
The Secretary-General stands ready to support negotiations towards a peaceful, comprehensive and durable settlement.
Thank you, Madam President.