Important Step Towards De-escalation Between Iran and US

“This is an important step towards de-escalation and the creation of an essential space for diplomacy and building trust between Iran and the United States,” said spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric during a press briefing on Wednesday.

“We encourage all parties to take advantage of this momentum, abstain from any actions that could compromise the ceasefire, and engage constructively in negotiations to reach a sustainable and lasting solution,” he added.

He emphasized that “the Secretary-General fully supports the efforts deployed by Pakistan to facilitate the continuation of talks” and “hopes that these efforts will contribute to creating conducive conditions for a comprehensive and lasting resolution of the conflict.”

Seizure of Commercial Ships

While announcing the extension of the ceasefire, US President Donald Trump stated that the United States would continue to block ships to and from Iranian ports. Iran, on the other hand, excluded reopening the Strait of Hormuz as long as the American blockade continues and declared on Wednesday that they had seized two vessels in the strait.

The Secretary-General of the IMO, Arsenio Dominguez, condemned the attacks and seizures of commercial ships as “unacceptable.”

In a statement to the press, he once again called for “the cessation of these irresponsible acts and the immediate release of all innocent vessels and seafarers.” “De-escalation, concrete measures, and the restoration of freedom of navigation are the only way forward,” he stated.

French Peacekeeper Injured in Lebanon

Regarding Lebanon, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric expressed the UN’s sadness at the announcement of the death of one of the two French peacekeepers who were seriously injured in an incident in the south of the country on April 18.

At 31 years old, Corporal Anicet Girardin passed away on Wednesday morning in a Paris hospital. He was critically injured when his demining team, operating within the French contingent of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), was targeted as they cleared a road in Ghanduriyah to restore access to isolated UNIFIL positions.

He succumbed to his injuries a few days after the death of Sergeant Florian Montorio in the same incident.

“Our initial assessment at the time indicated that the peacekeepers had come under fire from non-state armed groups – likely Hezbollah – during this incident,” recalled Mr. Dujarric.

“We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues, as well as to the French people and government. Corporal Girardin is the fifth UNIFIL peacekeeper to lose his life due to current hostilities while performing his duties under the mandate conferred by the Security Council,” he added.

Another peacekeeper, also seriously injured in the incident, was repatriated to Paris on Tuesday and remains under medical care. A fourth peacekeeper, who suffered only minor injuries, returned to his post within his unit in southern Lebanon.

Attacks against peacekeepers are unacceptable and should be swiftly investigated so that those responsible can be effectively prosecuted and held accountable,” said the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson.

According to the UN, these attacks are part of a broader context marked by an “unacceptable increase in hostile acts against UNIFIL installations and peacekeepers.”

“Restrictions are hindering the resupply of some positions, raising growing concerns. We urge all parties to ensure the free movement of our peacekeepers so they can fulfill their mandate safely and effectively,” Mr. Dujarric declared.

Significant Humanitarian Needs

Regarding the humanitarian situation in Lebanon, it remains severe, and the needs are still significant despite the ten-day ceasefire that went into effect last week, the spokesperson noted.

“Population displacements remain common. Although some movements have been observed since the ceasefire, our partners report new trends in secondary displacements, where people are moving closer to home but remaining displaced,” he said.

UN humanitarian agencies and their partners continue to assist civilians in affected and hard-to-reach areas, supported by the Humanitarian Notification System managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), informing conflict parties of planned aid movements.

Since the conflict began, 75 aid movements have been facilitated by this system, reaching people in hard-to-access locations in southern Lebanon.

“Our humanitarian partners and we remain determined to provide vital assistance to those most in need. However, the humanitarian response continues to be overwhelmed by the scale of needs. We therefore urge donors to increase their contributions and show generosity, and we thank those who have already responded to this call,” Mr. Dujarric concluded.