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Briefing the Security Council, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific Khaled Khiari said the situation in the region “cannot be allowed to become the new normal” and that “maritime chokepoints must never become instruments of coercion.”
Khiari noted that there had been no major military exchanges since early September, but said the UN remained “deeply concerned by rhetoric suggesting the possibility of renewed military confrontation.” He said the agreements reached in June between Iran and the United States “demonstrated that diplomacy can produce results.”
“Renewed hostilities would have devastating consequences for Iran, the region and beyond,” the Assistant Secretary-General said. “Diplomacy, compromise and political courage remain the only path to lasting peace.”