The United Nations has welcomed the United States’ decision to extend its ceasefire with Iran, describing the move as a positive step toward reducing tensions and creating space for diplomacy.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed support for the development through his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, who issued a statement on Tuesday highlighting the importance of continued engagement between Washington and Tehran.
“This is an important step toward de-escalation and creating critical space for diplomacy and confidence-building between Iran and the United States,” Dujarric said.
The statement came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Washington would extend its ceasefire arrangement with Iran. The extension was made, according to Trump, to allow Tehran additional time to prepare what he described as a “unified proposal” for negotiations, following a request reportedly made by Pakistani officials.
The UN emphasized that all parties should avoid actions that could undermine the fragile ceasefire, urging both sides to remain committed to constructive dialogue. Dujarric added that the Secretary-General encourages efforts aimed at reaching what he described as a “sustainable and lasting” resolution to the ongoing tensions.
The United Nations also expressed support for the diplomatic role being played by Pakistan in facilitating communication between the United States and Iran. According to the statement, Guterres welcomed Islamabad’s efforts to help sustain dialogue and reduce the risk of further escalation in the region.
The comments come amid ongoing international concern over stability in the Middle East, where tensions between Washington and Tehran have fluctuated significantly in recent months. The current ceasefire, originally announced earlier this month, was set to expire on Wednesday before Trump’s decision to extend it.
Diplomatic activity has intensified alongside the ceasefire extension. A U.S. delegation, reportedly led by Vice President JD Vance, had been expected to travel to Islamabad for a second round of direct talks with Iranian representatives. However, the trip was delayed due to additional policy discussions in Washington, according to U.S. officials.
The planned engagement was intended to follow an earlier round of high-level talks held in Pakistan earlier this month, which ended without a breakthrough agreement. Despite the lack of immediate progress, both sides had agreed to continue discussions in an effort to explore potential areas of compromise.
The UN’s statement reflects growing international pressure on all parties involved to prioritize diplomacy over military escalation. Guterres has consistently called for restraint in the region and has supported third-party mediation efforts aimed at preventing further conflict.
Analysts note that the extension of the ceasefire provides a narrow but important window for diplomatic progress, though significant challenges remain. Key issues, including security concerns, regional influence, and mutual distrust, continue to complicate negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
For now, the international community is closely watching whether the extended ceasefire will lead to a more structured diplomatic framework or merely delay a return to heightened tensions. The UN has reiterated its readiness to support any efforts that contribute to a comprehensive and durable settlement.
As discussions continue behind the scenes, the coming days are expected to be critical in determining whether the current pause in hostilities can be transformed into a more stable and lasting agreement.
