The world cannot afford a major confrontation in the Gulf, UN chief Antonio Guterres warned on Thursday, as the Security Council prepared to meet to discuss suspected attacks on two oil tankers in a strategic sea lane. At the request of the United States, the Security Council was to meet behind closed doors later Thursday to discuss the situation in the Gulf. “Facts must be established and responsibilities clarified,” the UN secretary-general told a council meeting on UN cooperation with the Arab League. “Iran remains the most significant threat to regional peace and security, engaged in numerous malign activities in the region,” he told the council. US National Security Advisor John Bolton has said “there’s no doubt” that Iran was responsible for last month’s attacks on the tankers.

Source: Punch June 13, 2019 16:18 UTC