UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was “shocked” by renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran and called for de-escalation, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on July 8, 2026, according to Jiemian News. Dujarric warned that diplomatic gains risk being derailed and that a return to full-scale confrontation would have “catastrophic consequences” for people in the region, international peace and security, and the global economy. He said Guterres urged maximum restraint, immediate steps to cool tensions, full compliance with international law, and an urgent resumption of negotiations to resolve the issue through diplomacy.