UN chief visits Japan, calls closure of Strait of Hormuz 'global crisis'

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is a global crisis, bringing devastating consequences to developing countries in particular. Guterres, who is visiting Japan, delivered a keynote speech in Tokyo on Monday at an event to mark 70 years since Japan joined the UN.

He said the crisis is not local but global, and called the closure of the Strait of Hormuz "totally unacceptable." The UN chief said he has been talking to both sides involved in the issue of opening the Strait, and noted the active role of the UN. He called the situation "neither war nor peace," adding that it is unclear what the concerned parties really want.