NEW YORK: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday welcomed the United States’ decision to extend its ceasefire with Iran, calling it an important step towards de-escalation.
In a statement, the UN chief said the extension would help create “critical space” for diplomacy and confidence-building between Washington and Tehran.
He urged all parties to build on the momentum, refrain from actions that could undermine the ceasefire, and engage constructively in negotiations aimed at achieving a lasting resolution.
Guterres also expressed full support for Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue between the two sides, amid efforts to bring them back to the negotiating table.
He voiced hope that Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts would help create conditions conducive to a comprehensive and durable settlement of the conflict.
The extension comes at a critical juncture in the US-Iran confrontation, where fears of escalation had mounted as the initial ceasefire window approached its end.
Trump linked the delay in military action to internal divisions within Iran and the need to allow time for a consolidated negotiating position.
Pakistan’s role, explicitly acknowledged by the US president, places Islamabad at the centre of diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider regional conflict.
