UN chief praises ceasefire framework between Washington and Tehran UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the reported agreement between the United States and Iran, describing it as “a critical step” towards resolving the conflict through diplomacy. In a post on X, Guterres said he “warmly” congratulated both countries for reaching what he called “a peace deal” that provides for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a framework for further negotiations. “This represents a critical step towards the peaceful settlement of the conflict,” Guterres wrote.