UNITED NATIONS: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed optimism for the negotiations between the US and Iran even though the round over the weekend ended in a stalemate, and called it “a positive and meaningful step”.
“Given the deeply rooted differences, an agreement cannot be reached overnight, and the Secretary-General calls on the talks to continue constructively for an agreement to be reached”, his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday.
“While no agreement was reached at the talks hosted by Pakistan between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad, the discussions themselves underscored the seriousness of their engagement and constituted a positive and meaningful step toward renewed dialogue”, he said.
US President Trump imposed a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, targeting Iranian oil shipments after the talks failed.
“The Secretary-General stresses that all parties to this conflict must respect freedom of navigation, including in the Strait of Hormuz, in line with international law”, Dujarric said.