United Nations, August 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Iran and the United States to resume negotiations aimed at achieving a peaceful and durable settlement, warning that there is no military solution to the conflict.
Guterres’ message was reiterated by his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric during a briefing after the 60-day negotiating period outlined in the June 17 Iran-US memorandum of understanding expired on Monday. The agreement had provided for negotiations towards a final settlement, with the period extendable by mutual consent.
“His message is the same, which he’s been delivering since the start, which is there is no military solution to this conflict,” Dujarric said.
He said the UN chief was urging Iran and the US to resume negotiations “as soon as possible” to prevent further military action and reduce the increasingly hostile rhetoric.
The June 17 memorandum, signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, established a 60-day framework for negotiations on issues including Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions, while also providing for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to the US naval blockade.
Meanwhile, Trump said Tehran wanted an agreement with Washington but was unwilling to accept what he considered the necessary terms.
“They want to make a deal, but they’re not going to make the kind of a deal that I feel is necessary,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
Trump reiterated that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remained Washington’s primary objective.
“You understand that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and they won’t have a nuclear weapon,” he said, adding that Iran “can’t have a nuclear war.”
Trump also claimed that the US had “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz through its naval blockade of Iranian ports and said he liked the idea of making the strategic waterway US territory.
Asked about Oman, which has been working with Iran on arrangements concerning the strait, Trump said he did not believe Oman had “behaved very well” but indicated Washington could deal with the matter.
The UN’s call comes amid uncertainty over the next phase of diplomacy following the expiry of the initial negotiating period. The memorandum itself envisaged further negotiations rather than constituting a final settlement.
FOLLOW NOW
