Key facts
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over escalating Middle East tensions.
- Guterres urged parties to return to a ceasefire and avoid further conflict.
- Iran's IRGC Navy reportedly targeted two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran's military command ordered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Clashes occurred between US forces and IRGC naval units in the Strait of Hormuz.
- US forces launched strikes against multiple targets in Iran.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that Gaza continues to face "profound uncertainty & immense human suffering" eight months after a ceasefire was announced. His remarks come amid continued Israeli attacks on Gaza, despite a US-brokered truce that took effect in October. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that at least 981 Palestinians have been killed and 3,104 wounded in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began, and a total of 72,991 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict started in 2023.
Concurrently, reports emerged of significant military activity in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the IRGC Navy struck two vessels attempting to transit the waterway. Earlier, Iran's Mehr news agency reported that Iran's top joint military command had ordered the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels, threatening to target any attempting passage. Clashes were also reported between US forces and IRGC naval units in the Strait, with US forces reportedly targeting seven coastal points in areas including Bandar Abbas and Sirik. The IRGC also claimed to have fired a missile at an F16 aircraft that violated "Gulf airspace," forcing its retreat. The Iranian Red Crescent placed all its emergency operations centres on full alert, and further explosions were reported in Bandar Abbas.
Reporting from Tehran indicated that Iran had been anticipating a new wave of strikes from the US, linking the renewed attacks to a desire to force diplomatic progress through military means. US officials, including CENTCOM, confirmed launching strikes against multiple targets in Iran, with some suggesting the aim was to create diplomatic space and accelerate negotiations, viewing the actions as a response to Iran's earlier actions.
Separately, UNICEF has called on Israel to take decisive action to protect Palestinian children following recent attacks. Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF’s Middle East and North Africa director, cited the killing of a seven-month-old boy near Hebron and eight children in Gaza. He urged transparent investigations and accountability for incidents where children are killed or maimed, noting a disregard for children's rights in the West Bank and Gaza.