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Reporters question UN about diplomacy, maritime threats and climate as spokesperson reiterates calls for negotiation and investigations
Summary
During the question-and-answer period reporters asked about the Secretary-General's contacts to de-escalate tensions, safety of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a reported social-media threat to seize islands and oil facilities, and NOAA's El NiF1o announcement; the spokesperson emphasized diplomacy, noted ongoing envoy travel and urged protection of civilians and UN personnel.
Reporters at the briefing asked a series of follow-up questions about diplomacy, maritime security, and other topical items. When asked whether the Secretary-General had been speaking to counterparts to tamp down tensions, the spokesperson said envoys remain engaged and cited ongoing travel and meetings in Paris and Geneva.
On the Strait of Hormuz and recent attacks on merchant vessels, the spokesperson acknowledged some ships had been able to transit while others were hit, cited a fatal attack on a tanker that killed seafarers, and said the Secretary-General prefers diplomacy over escalation in response to provocative social-media remarks about seizing territory or energy facilities.
When asked about comments by an ambassador (reported in the briefing as Mr. Nibbenzia) defending the Russian military and accusing the Secretary-General of bias, the spokesperson declined to provide additional color and reiterated that the Secretary-General stands by his report and its verifiable data.
A climate question citing NOAA's announcement that El NiF1o had begun prompted the spokesperson to link the phenomenon to observed high temperatures and to reiterate the Secretary-General's calls for measurable climate action. On a question about special envoy John Arnold's recent visit to Washington, the spokesperson said the visit was part of ongoing diplomacy and cautioned against drawing a causal link between that trip and subsequent rhetoric and violence.
