UN chief hopes for status quo ante of Strait of Hormuz: spokesperson

UNITED NATIONS, June 26 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hopes that the Strait of Hormuz could return to its status quo ante, said his spokesperson on Friday.

Asked at a daily briefing where Guterres hopes that the Strait of Hormuz will return to how it was before the U.S.-Israel conflict against Iran began, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson, said: "I think we have to remain determined. The Strait of Hormuz, prior to the opening of this conflict, actually worked, right? So we know it can, and we should go back to that."

Dujarric said the United Nations welcomed the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran, which covers the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, noting that it is important that all sides honor their commitments.

"We are keen to see a sustained reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, based on the concept of freedom of navigation," said Dujarric. "It is important that all parties involved keep their eyes on the greater good -- the greater good of regional stability, the greater good of global stability."

The Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important energy shipping chokepoint, had been open and toll-free before Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran and assassinated dozens of Iran's top leaders on Feb. 28. The strait was closed by Iran immediately after the Israel-U.S. strikes, and tolls were imposed on limited shipping traffic. After the signing of the MoU in mid-June, the strait was opened, but was closed again after Israel continued strikes in southern Lebanon, in violation of the MoU.