World economy on brink of disaster due to Mideast conflict, warns UN leader

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The United Nations Secretary-General has warned that the escalating conflict across the Middle East risks spiralling beyond control and threatening the global economy, as military strikes and counter-strikes continue for a seventh day in a widening regional crisis.

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Fighting between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other has intensified across multiple fronts, prompting urgent appeals from senior UN officials for an immediate halt to hostilities and renewed diplomatic negotiations.

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In a statement on Friday on the UN website, Secretary-General António Guterres said the ongoing attacks across the region were already inflicting severe harm on civilians and could have far-reaching global consequences.

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“All the unlawful attacks in the Middle East and beyond are causing tremendous suffering and harm to civilians throughout the region – and pose a grave a risk to the global economy, particularly to the most vulnerable people.

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The situation could spiral beyond anyone’s control.

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It is time to stop the fighting and get to serious diplomatic negotiations.

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The stakes could not be higher.”

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UN officials warn of global ripple effects

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Senior UN humanitarian officials also warned that the conflict could trigger cascading humanitarian and economic consequences far beyond the Middle East.

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Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York that the world was entering “a moment of grave peril” as the crisis deepens.

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He warned that vast resources were being directed toward the war effort while humanitarian needs elsewhere remained underfunded.

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Mr. Fletcher said “staggering amounts of money were funding the war, ‘while politicians continue to boast about cutting aid budgets in greatest need.’”

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He cautioned that disruptions to key maritime routes could drive up food prices, strain health systems and complicate humanitarian operations worldwide.

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“What we need is de-escalation and immediate cessation of hostilities, genuine dialogue and negotiations in line with the Charter of the United Nations. We need calmer heads to prevail.”

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The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has declared the escalating crisis a major humanitarian emergency requiring an immediate regional response.

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UN human rights chief Volker Türk also warned that the conflict was spreading beyond the original parties and called on states to take urgent steps to de-escalate.

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Shipping crisis threatens global oil supply

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The conflict is also affecting global trade routes, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic sea lane at the entrance to the Persian Gulf through which roughly 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes.

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The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Arsenio Dominguez, said the waterway was effectively closed because of the threat of strikes.

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A tugboat assisting another vessel in the strait was struck on Friday morning, killing four seafarers.

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Mr. Dominguez said the overall situation was “deteriorating” and urged ships to avoid navigating in the region.

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He warned that around 3,000 vessels and approximately 20,000 seafarers were currently stranded in the area and highlighted the potential global “knock-on” effects from the disruption to the critical shipping corridor.

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He called on member states to “find solutions through dialogue in order to de-escalate” and restore safe navigation.

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Iran says it does not seek war

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Iran’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Iravani, told reporters outside the Security Council on Friday that Tehran did not want further escalation but would defend its sovereignty.

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“Iran does not seek war or escalation but Iran will never surrender its sovereignty,” he said.

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He added that Iran would take all necessary measures to defend its territory and independence.

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Mr. Iravani also called on UN Member States to condemn what he described as “this criminal war against the Iranian people,” urging the Security Council to “act now, firmly, clearly and without delay – failure to act will have catastrophic consequences.

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Today it is Iran, tomorrow it could be any other Member State.”

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Displacement, humanitarian pressure grow

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Humanitarian conditions across the region continue to worsen.

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Mass displacement in Lebanon is ongoing amid evacuation orders and continued airstrikes.

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In Gaza, UN officials said civilians and civilian infrastructure remain exposed to airstrikes, shelling and gunfire.

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According to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, the Kerem Shalom crossing remains open for approved humanitarian supplies, but other crossings, including Rafah, remain closed. Medical evacuations, returns of residents from abroad and humanitarian staff rotations are currently suspended.

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Aid agencies inside Gaza are prioritising emergency health care, maternal and neonatal services, trauma treatment and management of communicable diseases while coping with limited fuel supplies.

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Meanwhile, in the West Bank, expanded checkpoint closures and settler violence are further restricting Palestinian access to services and livelihoods.

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UN officials say humanitarian teams continue operating across the region despite the worsening security environment, as calls intensify for an immediate halt to the fighting and a return to diplomatic negotiations.

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