United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges all sides to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation following the exchange of fire in the Strait of Hormuz, a spokesman said Friday.
Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN chief, made the remarks at a daily briefing amid renewed hostilities between Iranian and U.S. forces in and around the strategic waterway in the most serious test yet of their month-long ceasefire.
"What I can tell you is that the secretary-general is concerned by the reported recent exchange of fire in the Strait of Hormuz. He underscores that this is a critical moment for de-escalation and urges all sides to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation. The secretary-general calls on all parties to fully abide by the ceasefire and refrain from any actions that could lead to renewed escalation or undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts," he said.
U.S. and Iranian forces traded fire on Thursday. The U.S. military said it was a "self-defense" action while Tehran accused Washington of violating a ceasefire that took effect on April 8.
UN chief urges maximum restraint to avoid further escalation in Hormuz Strait: spokesman
Russia and Ukraine on Friday agreed to a three-day ceasefire and a swap of 1,000 prisoners.
"At the instruction of Russian President Vladimir Putin, I confirm that U.S. President Donald Trump's initiative regarding the ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine is acceptable to the Russian side," Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.
"We received Russia's agreement to conduct a prisoner exchange in the format of 1,000 for 1,000. A ceasefire regime must also be established on May 9, 10, and 11," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X.
He added that he had instructed the Ukrainian team to promptly prepare everything necessary for the exchange.
Separately, Zelensky signed a decree that excluded the Red Square area in Moscow from the "plan for the use of Ukrainian weapons" during the Victory Day parade on May 9 "for humanitarian purposes," according to a document published on the presidential website.
Trump said earlier Friday on Truth Social that the truce between Russia and Ukraine "will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each country."
On Thursday, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that all Russian military groupings in the conflict zone would completely halt combat operations during the Victory Day celebrations from midnight on May 8 to 10.
Russia, Ukraine agree to 3-day ceasefire, prisoner exchange
