NEW YORK / MENA Newswire / — UN envoy Jean Arnault said regional agreement is emerging around a quick end to the Middle East conflict. He also cited the need to restore trust and support a lasting settlement. Arnault serves as the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Middle East Conflict and its Consequences. His assessment followed consultations with affected countries, Security Council members, and other member states.
The envoy’s office said the broad regional convergence offers a channel for work on conflict resolution and long-term stability. It placed diplomacy at the center of the effort. Arnault has held meetings inside and outside UN headquarters in recent weeks. Those contacts have carried the call by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for de-escalation and consolidation of the ceasefire.
Guterres appointed Arnault on March 25 to lead his efforts on the conflict and its wider consequences. The role gives him a mandate to support peace efforts and engage with governments in the region. UN statements since April have described stops in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt. Those visits formed part of his consultations with governments affected by the conflict.
Diplomatic contacts widen
Arnault’s latest consultations focused on countries affected by the war and states involved in diplomacy. His office said the contacts also included Security Council members and other UN member states. The discussions centered on reducing tensions and supporting mediation. They also addressed the need to prevent any return to hostilities after the current ceasefire.
Freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains a central issue in the UN effort. Arnault reaffirmed the need to restore safe movement through the waterway. The strait links the Gulf with major global shipping routes. Guterres has linked disruption there to energy, fertilizer, trade, and humanitarian concerns tied to the conflict.
Ceasefire remains central
The mission has also emphasized dialogue under the UN Charter and international humanitarian law. During his regional tour, Arnault met officials and gathered views on a comprehensive settlement. Official readouts described the meetings as part of support for efforts to reach a durable resolution. The envoy’s office said his work continues through regional and international engagement.
The latest statement said Arnault is preparing further consultations with regional and international parties. It presented the emerging consensus as relevant to ending the conflict and rebuilding cooperation damaged by war. The statement did not announce a settlement plan or a new negotiating format. It also did not set dates for the next round of meetings.