UN Chief Warns Iran War ‘Out of Control’ as Secretary-General Establishes Special Task Force on Strait of Hormuz

In late March 2026, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark warning that the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has spun “completely out of control,” raising the prospect of a wider regional war with devastating global consequences. Speaking on March 26, Guterres urged the warring parties to cease military escalation, emphasizing that the conflict has broken past all limits and caused immense civilian suffering. He specifically called on the United States and Israel to end the war and urged Iran to halt attacks on Gulf states.

To address the severe economic repercussions, particularly the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, Guterres announced on March 27 the establishment of a dedicated task force. Led by UN Under-Secretary-General Jorge Moreira da Silva, the task force will develop technical mechanisms to facilitate the trade of fertilizers and raw materials, aiming to mitigate the humanitarian impact and global food security crisis caused by the near-halt of maritime traffic. The UN stressed that the prolonged closure of the strait, a vital artery for global energy and trade, necessitates immediate action to prevent a dramatic global economic shock and to rebuild confidence in diplomatic solutions.