UN Secretary-General António Guterres has announced a major diplomatic initiative to reopen the Hormuz Strait, which has been blocked amid Iran’s ongoing “Operation Epic Fury.” In an interview with Politico, Guterres said the UN is ready to mediate a deal similar to the 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative to ensure safe passage of energy and food shipments through the strait. He confirmed that high-level discussions are underway with Gulf nations and the European Council to restore stability in the region.

Guterres directly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s unilateral decision-making and his controversial “Board of Peace,” calling it a personal project lacking institutional accountability. While the UN continues limited cooperation with the board on Gaza reconstruction, Guterres warned that Trump’s “go-it-alone” approach has stalled coordinated global diplomacy on the Iran crisis. Several countries, including South Korea and Japan, have voiced concern over the closure’s impact on energy supply chains and economic stability.

Experts cautioned that without a formal diplomatic agreement, irregular maritime movements could trigger serious military misunderstandings or accidents. The world now awaits whether the UN can secure a widely accepted peace framework beyond unilateral authority.