Shibbir Ahmed, Washington, D.C.  – The United States has imposed sanctions on Cuba’s state-owned Banco Internacional de Comercio, S.A. (BICSA), accusing the bank of providing financial services to an Iranian bank previously sanctioned by Washington. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the action on Thursday. According to Rubio’s statement, the Cuban bank has provided services to Iran’s sanctioned Karafarin Bank since at least 2022. The U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Karafarin Bank in 2020 under Executive Order 13902.

Rubio said BICSA was designated under Section 2(a)(i)(A) of Executive Order 14404 for operating in, or having operated in, Cuba’s financial services sector. The decision was coordinated with a separate Treasury Department action targeting Iranian financial actors.

In his statement, Rubio accused communist-ruled Cuba of serving for years as a base for activities by Iran and other countries and groups considered hostile to U.S. interests. He described Iran as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.

“The Trump Administration will not tolerate a rogue state hosting hostile foreign military, intelligence and terror operations less than a hundred miles from the American homeland,” Rubio said. He added that the administration would continue taking aggressive action to identify and dismantle the Cuban government’s financial and security connections with Iran and other countries and groups it considers dangerous and hostile.

According to the State Department, Executive Order 14404 authorizes broad sanctions against individuals and entities that support the Cuban government’s security apparatus, are responsible for repression in Cuba, or pose threats to U.S. national security.

The department said the action also advances the objectives of Executive Order 14380, titled “Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Cuba,” and National Security Presidential Memorandum 5. Those measures seek to improve human rights, strengthen the rule of law, encourage free markets and private enterprise, and promote democracy in Cuba.

Under the sanctions framework outlined by the State Department, all property and interests in property belonging to the designated entity that are located in the United States or are in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked. Such assets must be reported to the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Entities owned individually or collectively at least 50% by one or more blocked persons are also subject to blocking restrictions.

Unless authorized or exempt, U.S. citizens, businesses and other persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction are prohibited from conducting transactions involving the property or interests of designated or otherwise blocked persons. The restrictions also prohibit providing or receiving funds, goods or services to, from, or for the benefit of blocked persons, unless an applicable authorization or exemption permits the transaction.

The State Department warned that foreign individuals and entities could also face sanctions risks if they conduct transactions with persons designated under Executive Order 14404. Foreign parties operating in Cuba’s energy, defense and related materials, metals and mining, financial services, or security sectors may also face sanctions exposure under the order.

Foreign financial institutions and other non-U.S. persons were urged to exercise caution when dealing with sanctioned parties. The department warned that returning assets to a sanctioned party or transferring them to another jurisdiction for the target’s potential use could expose non-U.S. persons to significant sanctions risks.

Additionally, the Cuban Assets Control Regulations restrict persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction from dealing in property in which Cuba or a Cuban national has an interest, unless the transaction is authorized or exempt.

The State Department said the purpose of sanctions is not simply to punish, but to encourage positive changes in behavior. Individuals and entities seeking removal from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) may submit petitions through OFAC’s Reconsiderations Portal. Applicants may also consult the State Department’s Delisting Guidance for information about the process.

SANAA, Yemen — Tensions in the Middle East intensified Tuesday after reports of Saudi-led coalition airstrikes targeting oil facilities west of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels threatened retaliation against Saudi Arabia. Houthi-affiliated broadcaster Al-Masirah reported that airstrikes had hit oil facilities in the area.

The reports followed a warning from the Saudi-led coalition urging civilians to evacuate the Yemen Oil Company’s Sabah central station and nearby areas ahead of a planned military operation. Witnesses in Sanaa reported hearing explosions, but the full extent of the damage and any casualties had not been immediately confirmed, according to the Associated Press.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree warned that any Saudi attack on Sanaa would prompt a forceful response against the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The Houthis also warned employees and civilians near Saudi Aramco oil facilities to evacuate, declaring the facilities potential targets for their forces. The exchange of threats raises concerns about further attacks on critical infrastructure, including oil facilities, airports and other strategic sites across the region.

The latest developments come amid an intensifying military confrontation involving Saudi Arabia, Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Houthi movement. Saudi Arabia has renewed military operations against the Houthis while backing a government-led counteroffensive following the group’s seizure of strategic territory along Yemen’s Red Sea coast.

The conflict has also expanded against the backdrop of wider tensions involving the United States and Iran. Recent Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure have disrupted air travel and heightened security concerns across the Gulf.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, remains a critical passage for international shipping and energy transportation. Further escalation around the waterway could threaten commercial shipping, increase transportation costs and add pressure to global energy markets.

The escalating confrontation raises fresh concerns about civilian safety, regional stability and the risk of a broader conflict. Military operations near oil facilities and other critical infrastructure could have consequences beyond Yemen and Saudi Arabia, particularly if attacks spread to major transport routes or energy installations.

Diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation remain important as regional governments confront growing security risks and the potential economic consequences of prolonged hostilities. The situation remains fluid, and further confirmation is needed regarding the reported airstrikes, damage and possible casualties.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC — The United States, the United Kingdom and 28 partner countries have jointly condemned what they describe as Iran-linked hostile activities, while backing Britain’s attribution of Iran’s involvement in an incident at Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford on September 27. In a joint statement released Monday, the 30 governments said they recognized the United Kingdom’s attribution of Iran’s involvement in the incident. The statement also cited Britain’s assessment that the event demonstrated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)’s continued willingness to project hostile activity beyond Iran’s borders through covert networks and proxy actors.

The statement was issued by the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The governments condemned what they characterized as Iran’s use of violent attacks and other hostile activities, including lethal plotting, arson, sabotage, cyberattacks and other forms of hybrid operations against their countries and partners.

The joint statement linked the RAF Fairford incident to a broader series of recent attacks across Europe targeting Jewish communities, Iranian journalists and U.S. interests. According to the statement, the attacks were claimed by Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI). The governments cited these developments as part of their broader concerns about threats and hostile activities allegedly carried out through proxies or other means.

The statement did not provide further operational details about the September 27 incident at RAF Fairford, identify suspects, or outline the evidence supporting the British attribution. Those details would require confirmation from official investigative sources.

The 30 governments warned that attempts to threaten, silence, intimidate, harass, harm or coerce people within their territories would not be tolerated, regardless of whether the activities were conducted directly or through proxies. They pledged to coordinate efforts to identify, investigate and disrupt hostile activities, prosecute those responsible where appropriate, and strengthen cooperation to protect their communities and national sovereignty.

The statement also emphasized the importance of improving national resilience, strengthening international coordination and ensuring accountability for those responsible for hostile acts. Although the governments issued a strong collective warning, the statement did not announce specific new sanctions, arrests or military measures against Iran.

The joint declaration underscores the signatories’ stated concern about alleged covert operations, threats against journalists and attacks affecting Jewish communities and U.S. interests in Europe. The reference to the IRGC is particularly significant because the statement attributes the alleged broader pattern of hostile activity to Iran’s capacity to operate beyond its borders through covert networks and proxy actors.

The declaration represents a coordinated diplomatic position among the participating governments. However, the specific circumstances of the RAF Fairford incident, the evidence behind the attribution and any potential legal or diplomatic consequences remain matters requiring further official clarification.

DUBAI — Iran is reviewing Washington’s response to its proposal to reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and says it will communicate its position through intermediaries once the review is complete, as stalled negotiations and escalating Middle East tensions continue to threaten global energy security. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday that Tehran was still examining the US response and remained in contact with Washington through intermediaries. His remarks indicate that diplomatic channels remain open, although major disagreements over the conditions for reopening the waterway and resuming negotiations have yet to be resolved.

The diplomatic impasse comes as oil prices remain elevated amid attacks on shipping and Saudi infrastructure. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy transit routes, connecting the Persian Gulf with international markets through the Gulf of Oman.

Iran submitted its proposal in mid-September as part of efforts to end the conflict and restore maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Baghaei said Tehran would send its response to Washington through intermediaries after completing its review. He did not provide a specific timeline for the decision.

Iran’s security leadership has argued that Washington’s response does not adequately address seven conditions Tehran has outlined for reopening the waterway and returning to negotiations.

A central disagreement concerns the order in which the two sides should address outstanding issues. Washington wants Iran’s nuclear programme included at the beginning of negotiations, while Tehran argues that reopening the strait and restoring maritime security should take priority. The disagreement has complicated diplomatic efforts despite continued exchanges of messages between the two sides.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Before the current conflict, approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade passed through the waterway.

Its importance extends well beyond the Middle East. Major energy-importing economies in Asia, as well as markets in Europe, depend on uninterrupted shipments of oil and natural gas from Gulf producers. Disruptions to the route can increase shipping costs, delay deliveries and create uncertainty for refiners, energy companies and governments planning fuel supplies.

The continuing confrontation has already affected maritime traffic and energy exports. Even a partial recovery in shipping would depend on vessels being able to transit the strait safely and consistently.

Energy markets have reacted to the latest developments in the Middle East, including attacks on Saudi Arabia and incidents involving commercial shipping. Brent crude futures rose to $106.76 a barrel on October 11, while US West Texas Intermediate crude reached $93.69, according to Reuters. Prices were supported by concerns about the security of Gulf energy infrastructure and maritime routes.

Higher oil prices can increase transportation and manufacturing costs, place pressure on household fuel bills and complicate efforts by central banks to control inflation. However, prices also depend on factors beyond the Strait of Hormuz, including global demand, available inventories, production decisions and developments in other oil-producing regions. The longer maritime uncertainty persists, the more difficult it becomes for energy markets to assess the reliability of supplies from the Gulf.

Qatar and Pakistan are among the countries involved in efforts to facilitate communication between Washington and Tehran. Their diplomatic role reflects wider regional concerns about the economic and security consequences of a prolonged confrontation. A negotiated arrangement could potentially restore maritime traffic while creating a framework for addressing other outstanding disputes.

The negotiations nevertheless face substantial obstacles. The United States and Iran disagree on the sequencing of discussions, the conditions for reopening the waterway and the broader issues that should be included in a settlement. Neither side has publicly confirmed a final agreement to resolve the current impasse.

The Hormuz negotiations are unfolding alongside a separate escalation involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement. Recent attacks on Riyadh have disrupted aviation and heightened concerns about the security of civilian infrastructure. Saudi Arabia has been considering its military response, while Washington has weighed whether to become more directly involved in operations against the Houthis.

The overlapping crises are increasing pressure on regional governments to strengthen defenses and prevent further disruption to international trade. Although the Houthi conflict and the US-Iran negotiations are distinct issues, both affect regional stability and the security of important maritime routes. Iran has reiterated that dialogue should be used to resolve the dispute involving Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, while continuing to review Washington’s response to its Hormuz proposal.

The immediate question is whether Iran will formally respond to the US proposal and whether that response can restart substantive negotiations. A breakthrough could help restore confidence in maritime transport and reduce some of the uncertainty affecting oil markets. Failure to reach an understanding could prolong disruptions and increase pressure on governments, shipping companies and energy producers.

Even if an agreement on reopening the strait emerges, a lasting resolution would depend on implementation, reliable maritime security arrangements and progress on the wider issues dividing Washington and Tehran.

For now, Iran says its review is continuing, and no final agreement has been announced. The outcome of the negotiations could have significant consequences for Middle East security, international shipping and the stability of global energy supplies.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A series of deadly attacks attributed to Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement has intensified security concerns across the Middle East, prompting Saudi Arabia to reinforce its response, suspend operations at its main airport in Riyadh, and assess the risk of a wider regional conflict.

Saudi Arabia faced renewed missile and drone threats on Monday, October 12, following attacks on King Khalid International Airport that killed civilians and disrupted air travel. The escalation comes amid the broader conflict involving the United States and Iran, raising concerns about the security of Gulf states, international aviation, and critical energy and shipping routes.

Saudi authorities reported that an attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Sunday killed one person and injured 11 others. The victim was identified as a Pakistani national. The incident followed a deadly strike on Saturday that killed 12 people and injured more than 300, according to reporting by international news organizations. An Indian national subsequently died from injuries sustained in Saturday’s attack, bringing the reported death toll from that incident to 13.

The attacks targeted the airport complex serving domestic passengers, raising serious concerns about civilian safety and the vulnerability of critical transportation infrastructure. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the strikes, according to Reuters and other media reports.

Saudi authorities extended the suspension of operations at Riyadh’s international airport as officials assessed damage and reviewed security arrangements. The disruption has affected airlines operating between Saudi Arabia and destinations in Europe and Asia. Aviation analytics firm Cirium estimated that approximately 60% of scheduled flights across Saudi Arabia could be cancelled on Monday, while cancellations at Riyadh airport were particularly severe.

The US Federal Aviation Administration also advised American airlines to exercise caution when flying to or over Saudi Arabia. Several international carriers suspended or adjusted services, reflecting the growing operational risks associated with the attacks.

The repeated attacks have increased pressure on the Saudi government to strengthen its defenses and respond to the Houthi campaign. Saudi-led coalition forces have reported renewed missile and drone activity, while Saudi forces have intensified strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. However, the effectiveness of further military action remains uncertain, and continued exchanges could increase the danger to civilians on both sides.

The Associated Press reported that Saudi Arabia has opened an investigation into how its air defenses failed to prevent the deadly airport attack. The incident has raised questions about the ability of existing defense systems to protect major civilian facilities against coordinated drone and missile strikes.

Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia condemned the attacks in a joint statement, describing them as a dangerous escalation and calling for an immediate halt to the strikes. The four countries expressed support for Saudi Arabia’s efforts to counter the threats and prevent further attacks. Their response reflects concern that continued violence could threaten regional stability and international peace and security.

The United Arab Emirates has also called for stronger cooperation among Gulf states on security and defense. UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash warned that attacks against Saudi Arabia undermine the security of the wider Gulf region.

Despite Iran’s longstanding support for the Houthi movement, Tehran has offered to help facilitate dialogue between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday that Tehran was prepared to assist efforts to bring the parties into talks. Whether this offer can lead to a meaningful reduction in violence remains unclear.

The diplomatic development comes as Saudi Arabia confronts renewed attacks and considers its military options. The situation presents a difficult challenge for regional governments seeking to protect critical infrastructure without triggering a broader confrontation.

The conflict also threatens important international trade routes. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, near Yemen’s coastline, is a strategic passage linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the wider Indian Ocean. Any disruption to shipping through the strait could affect the movement of oil, fuel and other commercial goods. The attacks have also raised concerns about Saudi energy infrastructure, a particularly significant issue for one of the world’s largest oil-producing countries.

A wider conflict involving additional regional or international forces could compound existing pressures on energy markets and maritime commerce. However, the scale of any future disruption will depend on developments on the ground and whether the attacks continue.

US President Donald Trump has said Washington is considering joining Saudi Arabia in strikes against the Houthis. As of Monday’s reporting, there was no confirmed announcement that the United States had begun direct military operations against the group in response to the latest airport attacks. Any American intervention could significantly change the conflict’s trajectory. It could increase military pressure on the Houthis, but it could also prompt further retaliation against Saudi infrastructure or international shipping. The possibility of a wider confrontation involving Saudi Arabia, the Houthis, Iran and the United States remains a major concern for regional security officials.

The attacks on Riyadh’s airport represent a serious escalation because they have caused substantial civilian casualties, disrupted international aviation and increased pressure for a military response. Saudi Arabia now faces the challenge of protecting its population and infrastructure while avoiding a conflict that could spread across the region. Diplomatic efforts, including Iran’s offer to mediate, may provide an avenue for de-escalation, but no agreement to halt the attacks has been confirmed in the reporting cited here. The central question is whether regional governments can contain the confrontation before further strikes or outside military intervention turn it into a broader Middle East war.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC — U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed he should have received the Nobel Peace Prize, calling the award “forever discredited” after former International Criminal Court judge Navi Pillay was named this year’s laureate. In a Truth Social post Friday following a rally in Syracuse, New York, Trump repeated his claim that he had “settled eight Wars” and said he was close to resolving two more conflicts involving Iran and Russia’s war against Ukraine.

“The United States of America, represented by me, as your President, should have received the Nobel Peace Prize, but didn’t,” Trump wrote. He also criticized Norway over the decision and questioned Pillay’s qualifications, accusing her of being hostile toward Israel.

Pillay, a South African jurist, previously served as a judge at the International Criminal Court and as the United Nations high commissioner for human rights. She also chaired a UN commission that concluded Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, a finding strongly rejected by the Israeli government.

Trump argued that international organizations had played no role in the conflicts he says he helped resolve. Pillay previously joked that she might share the prize with Trump after learning of the award.

Last year, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal. However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee clarified that presenting the physical medal does not transfer the award or laureate status to another person. The committee has emphasized that the Nobel Peace Prize remains officially linked to the individual or organization selected by the committee.

LONDON — Oil prices jumped sharply Thursday as attacks on commercial shipping in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz intensified concerns about global energy supplies.

Brent crude futures rose about 4.5% to $104.75 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude increased about 4.5% to $92.28, according to Reuters. Both benchmarks reached their highest levels in more than a week.

The latest price increase reflects a combination of geopolitical and supply concerns. Shipping attacks in the Gulf have increased, while uncertainty surrounding Iran and the security of the Strait of Hormuz has made traders increasingly concerned about the reliability of energy shipments.

The Strait is particularly important because it handled shipments equivalent to approximately 20% of global oil and fuel flows before the current conflict. Any prolonged reduction in traffic could have consequences well beyond the Middle East.

The latest attacks have also increased the cost and difficulty of moving energy products. Shipping companies are reassessing routes, while producers are looking for alternative ways to move oil and fuel to international markets.

At the same time, the United States is facing an additional supply concern because Hurricane Isaias is disrupting offshore oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico. Reuters reported that more than 25% of current U.S. Gulf oil production and more than 16% of natural-gas production had been shut in because of the storm as of Wednesday.

Major energy companies, including Shell and Chevron, have curtailed offshore operations as the hurricane approaches.

The International Energy Agency has also moved to accelerate the release of emergency oil stocks and prioritize diesel supplies as governments respond to high fuel prices and supply disruptions.

U.S. inventory data provided another source of upward pressure on prices. Crude inventories declined more than analysts had expected, while diesel inventories also fell.

The combination of Middle East tensions, shipping disruptions and reduced U.S. offshore production has created an unusually uncertain energy market.

For consumers, sustained increases in crude prices could eventually affect gasoline, diesel, airline and transportation costs. The extent of any impact will depend on how long shipping disruptions continue and whether alternative supply routes can compensate for reduced flows through the Gulf. Markets remain particularly sensitive to developments involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

WASHINGTON DC — Tensions between the United States and Iran are intensifying as risks to commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz increase, raising fresh concerns about global energy supplies and maritime security.

Iran has warned regional countries that attempts to establish or use alternative oil-export routes could be considered hostile, according to regional officials briefed on Tehran’s position. The warnings come after a sharp increase in attacks and incidents involving commercial vessels in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Reuters reported Thursday that tanker attacks last week reached their highest level since the current Iran war began. The increase has contributed to a significant decline in vessel traffic through the strategic waterway.

The latest reported incident involved the chemical tanker Acers, which was struck by multiple projectiles north of Qatar. Maritime authorities said members of the crew sustained minor injuries. The incident occurred outside the Strait itself but highlighted concerns that the maritime security threat could extend to approaches involving Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Before the current conflict, shipments equivalent to roughly 20% of global oil and fuel flows passed through the waterway. Disruptions there can therefore affect not only countries in the Middle East but also energy prices, transportation costs and consumers worldwide.

The United States is considering additional measures toward Iran, while military activity and the security situation in the region continue to evolve. Reuters reported that U.S. naval and other options are under consideration as Washington weighs its response.

Oil-producing countries in the Gulf have been seeking alternative transportation arrangements, including routes that use the Omani side of the Strait before transferring shipments farther out in the Gulf of Oman.

The crisis is also affecting shipping companies. Higher risks and insurance and logistics costs are adding pressure to international trade, while companies are adjusting routes and fees in response to the uncertain security environment.

For Americans, the immediate concern is the potential economic impact. Prolonged disruption around Hormuz could place additional pressure on crude oil, gasoline, diesel and transportation prices.

The situation remains fluid, with governments and shipping operators closely monitoring developments across the Gulf.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday called for an end to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, urging all parties to step back from confrontation and return to diplomatic negotiations as the crisis continues to disrupt vital trade routes across the Middle East.

Speaking at a joint press appearance in Islamabad with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Guterres issued a direct appeal to the parties involved in the conflict.

“End the conflict. Return to diplomacy,” Guterres said, calling at the same time for the full restoration of navigational rights and freedoms in accordance with international law.

His remarks came at the beginning of a two-day official visit to Pakistan, where the UN chief is expected to discuss regional security, diplomacy, humanitarian issues and climate change.

The current crisis began in late February following joint U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran. Tehran responded with attacks against targets in Gulf countries and Jordan and moved to restrict transit through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime passages.

The waterway is a major route for international shipments of crude oil, liquefied natural gas and other commodities. Disruptions in the strait have created significant uncertainty for global shipping and energy markets.

Guterres said hundreds of ships and their crews have been stuck at sea for months as a result of the continuing crisis. The disruption has raised concerns well beyond the region, with the security of international shipping and the uninterrupted movement of energy supplies becoming central issues in the conflict.

The conflict has also contributed to fighting along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Iran-backed Houthi forces are engaged in fighting with Yemeni government troops supported by Saudi Arabia over control of the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait. The waterway is a critical maritime passage linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the wider international shipping network. The developments have added another layer to an already complex regional crisis, with several strategic waterways now affected by military tensions.

Guterres used his visit to Pakistan to recognize Islamabad’s efforts to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran. He praised Pakistan’s role in helping establish conditions for negotiations and pointed specifically to the June 17 Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, the subsequent ceasefire and the framework created for further talks.

The UN secretary-general described Pakistan’s role as significant and said the country’s efforts demonstrated the importance of mediation and diplomacy at a time of increasing international division.

“Every Pakistani should be proud of that pivotal role,” Guterres said. He also praised Pakistan as a country that has continued to support multilateral diplomacy and international cooperation.

Guterres also addressed the broader Middle East crisis, saying lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved without addressing the political rights of the Palestinian people. He said the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination remains an important element of any long-term regional peace effort.

The UN chief expressed hope that the Middle East could move toward greater peace and prosperity through dialogue and cooperation. His comments come as the region continues to face overlapping conflicts and humanitarian challenges.

During his remarks, Guterres also highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to United Nations peacekeeping. He paid tribute to more than 180 Pakistani peacekeepers who have died while serving in UN missions around the world. Guterres also referred to a recent Security Council resolution led by Pakistan and Denmark that strengthens accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers.

According to the secretary-general, the resolution received support from 153 countries, making it the most widely co-sponsored Security Council resolution in the organization’s history. He also acknowledged the heavy toll of terrorist attacks on Pakistan and expressed solidarity with those affected.

Pakistan’s role in hosting millions of Afghans displaced by conflict and instability was another issue raised during the visit. Guterres said the United Nations would continue working with Pakistan to ensure that the return of Afghan refugees is voluntary, safe and dignified.

The issue remains sensitive as Pakistan manages the long-term humanitarian and security consequences of decades of conflict in neighboring Afghanistan.

Guterres also used his visit to highlight Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change. Recalling his previous visit to the country during the devastating 2022 floods, he said Pakistan remains on the front lines of climate-related disasters despite contributing only a small share of global greenhouse-gas emissions.

He praised Pakistan’s involvement in establishing the Loss and Damage Fund and highlighted the country’s efforts to expand clean energy. The UN chief again urged developed countries to take the lead in significantly reducing global emissions during the current decade.

Guterres’ appeal comes as the United States-Iran conflict continues to create security and economic risks across the Middle East. The disruption of major maritime routes, the expansion of fighting into neighboring areas and the potential impact on global energy and trade have increased pressure for a diplomatic solution. From Islamabad, the UN secretary-general made clear that his preferred path forward is negotiation rather than further escalation.

“End the conflict. Return to diplomacy,” he said.

For Pakistan, meanwhile, the visit provides an opportunity to reinforce its role as a diplomatic channel between major powers while emphasizing its broader concerns over regional stability, humanitarian protection and climate security.

TEHRAN – Iran’s top diplomat insisted on Sunday that there would be no military solution to the United States’ war against the Islamic republic, with talks on ending the conflict apparently at an impasse. A campaign of heavy bombardment failed to bring a decisive close to the war launched by the US and Israel in late February, and Washington in recent weeks has dialled back military operations in favour of economic pressure.

The main point of contention remains Iran’s attempt to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for Gulf oil and gas where a UK maritime agency reported on Sunday another tanker struck by an unknown projectile. “If our enemies again choose the path of military confrontation, our response will be stronger than before, and we will defend ourselves with even more force,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said at a gathering of foreign ambassadors.

“There is no military solution, nor any solution based on new sanctions,” he continued, adding “only negotiations based on justice and fairness” could end the conflict. The two sides agreed a memorandum of understanding in June that spelled out a framework for a permanent resolution, but Iranian attacks on vessels in the Hormuz prompted a return to US military operations.

Iran has sought to impose its control over the vital shipping lane since the start of the war, striking vessels that attempt to transit without its authorisation. The US has imposed its own counterblockade of Iranian ports, and has also struck vessels it accuses of violating it.

On Sunday, the British maritime security agency UKMTO said a tanker in the Hormuz “reported being struck by an unknown projectile, causing damage to the engine room”, though the crew were reported safe and no environmental impact was recorded. The agency did not specify the date of the incident, the vessel’s origin or destination, or whether it was an oil tanker or LNG carrier.

Iranian and US officials last week held indirect talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, with Tehran saying it presented seven conditions for reopening the strait. Iran has demanded, among other things, a ceasefire across the Middle East, the unfreezing of its assets abroad, the lifting of sanctions on its oil sector and an end to the US naval blockade.

Trump, however, rejected the proposal, while leaving the door open both to further talks or renewed military operations. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei on Sunday characterised the latest US counterproposal as being “in line with their previous proposals concerning nuclear issues”.

“We have clearly indicated that we are focusing on the issue of the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, adding that reopening the waterway required “an end to the disruptions to Iranian commercial maritime traffic and the lifting of sanctions”.

The United States and Israel have characterised the war as being necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons — a goal it has long denied pursuing — though the focus soon shifted to reopening the Hormuz after its closure sent shockwaves through world energy markets. The United States has not struck Iran since September 1, but it has recently pursued a fresh military buildup in the region.

US media outlet Axios reported that Washington has deployed additional Patriot missile batteries to Saudi Arabia and Qatar to help protect key energy facilities from possible Iranian retaliation. It also reported that the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and its strike group were heading to the Middle East, where they could join two other US carrier strike groups already in the region.

Axios reported that top Trump cabinet members met Friday to discuss the war in Iran, as well as the conflict in Yemen, where the Tehran-backed Houthis have been fighting government forces and attacking Saudi Arabia.