United Nations Secretary General welcomed this move<\/a>calling it “An important step towards reducing tensions and creating an important space for diplomacy and confidence-building<\/strong> Between Iran and the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n In a statement issued by his spokesman late Tuesday, Antonio Guterres urged all parties to “refrain from actions that could undermine the ceasefire” and engage creatively<\/strong> In negotiations towards a permanent solution.<\/p>\n He also expressed support for Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate talks and expressed hope that they could help create conditions for a “comprehensive and durable” solution.<\/p>\n However, the status of those talks remains unclear.<\/p>\n \u00a9 NASA\/GSFC\/Jacques Descloiters<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Satellite image of the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Even as diplomatic efforts continue, tensions remain in and around the Strait of Hormuz \u2013 one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints \u2013 and tit-for-tat vessels have been reported intercepted off the Iranian coast.<\/p>\n The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which monitors maritime safety, reported that a cargo ship west of Iran came under fire and was forced to stop, while a container ship northeast of Oman suffered heavy damage to its bridge after being targeted by an armed vessel. In both cases, the crews were reported safe.<\/p>\n The narrow waterway, linking the Persian Gulf to global markets, carries a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas supply. Maritime traffic has declined sharply and insurance costs have increased since the US-Israeli bombing of Iran began in late February.<\/p>\n The head of the UN maritime agency gave a warning statement<\/a> Later on Wednesday it was reported that the situation remained “extremely volatile”.<\/p>\n “Attacks and seizure of commercial vessels are unacceptable,<\/strong>IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dom\u00ednguez called for “these reckless actions to be stopped” and for the affected ships and crew to be released.<\/p>\n He described the conditions facing sailors in the region as extremely uncertain, citing “continued tension over missiles” and ongoing uncertainty for the approximately 20,000 crew members still stranded after several weeks of disruption.<\/p>\n “De-escalation, meaningful action and restoring freedom of navigation is the only way forward.<\/strong>he adds. <\/p>\n Meanwhile, in Lebanon, a separate 10-day ceasefire has allowed thousands of displaced families to return, although many homes and other infrastructure have been damaged during fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants.<\/p>\n According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNO)OCHA<\/a>), More than 120,000 people have been displaced into collective shelters across the country, despite a 20 percent decline since the ceasefire began<\/strong> On 17th April.<\/p>\n Return restrictions remain in many areas of southern Lebanon due to the ongoing military presence At least 74 areas are still considered unsafe<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Destroyed buildings and debris in the Basta neighborhood of Beirut, Lebanon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric confirmed the death of another French peacekeeper who was seriously injured in an attack in southern Lebanon on Saturday.<\/p>\n Corporal Anisette Girardin, 31, was killed when he was hit by explosive ordnance disposal team fire while clearing a road to restore access to UN positions. <\/strong><\/p>\n Sergeant-chef Florian Montorio was also killed in that attack and another peacekeeper was injured. Initial assessments from the mission indicate that the peacekeepers likely came under fire from Hezbollah militants.<\/p>\nIncreasing threats in the Strait of Hormuz<\/h2>\n
protect sailors<\/h2>\n
humanitarian tensions in lebanon<\/h2>\n
![\"Destroyed](\"https:\/\/global.unitednations.entermediadb.net\/assets\/mediadb\/services\/module\/asset\/downloads\/preset\/Collections\/Embargoed\/13-04-2026-UNICEF-Lebanon-02.jpg\/image1170x530cropped.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/picture>\n<\/div>\nPeacemaker succumbed to his injuries<\/h2>\n