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The Secretary-General’s warnings come amid escalating unrest across the Middle East, where fears of a wider confrontation are growing. He noted the actions already taken by the United Nations Security Council, including directives to cease hostilities and ensure that critical maritime routes remain open.
Asian stock markets mostly declined amid uncertainty, while governments and diplomats seek ways to ensure safe tanker passage through the strategic waterway, a key route for global energy supplies.
Speaking on Monday, he urged major nations including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the UK to join efforts to reopen the vital oil transit route, which has faced threats amid escalating Middle East tensions.
The US president said he hoped China, France, Japan and South Korea would also send ships to the passage, where a number of tankers are said to have been attacked since the US and Israel mounted their war against Iran a fortnight ago.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic waterway through which passes nearly a quarter of the world's seaborne oil supplies, and a significant amount of cargo to and from Gulf ports.
The impact of the explosion was reportedly felt as far as 50 kilometers (31 miles) away.