The United Nations secretary-general, António Guterres, has urged restraint from all parties involved in escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, warning of imminent 'catastrophic consequences' for the region and global economy.This comes after the U.S.launched a new round of strikes against Iran in response to an attack on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran claimed violated the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement.Iran retaliated by targeting U.S.allies in the region, prompting further U.S.strikes.Guterres emphasized the need for immediate de-escalation, stating that full-scale hostilities would have severe repercussions.The U.S.justification for its strikes was to degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping vessels, while Iran accused the U.S.of interfering in regional affairs, citing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until further notice.The situation highlights the fragile balance of power in the Middle East and the potential for widespread economic and geopolitical fallout.