United Nations, July 23, 2019, SPA -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterich expressed deep concern about reports of recent attacks on British vessels, in the Strait of Hormuz. This was stated by Deputy UN Spokesman Farhan Haq, who stressed that the Secretary-General of the United Nations reasserts the need to respect the rights and duties related to cross-strait and its adjacent waters navigation, in accordance with international law. Haq pointed out that according to news reports, Iran seized a British-flagged tanker carrying 23 crew members last Friday and briefly detained a second vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, adding to tension in the strategic waterway, which has become a hotbed between Tehran and the West. "The Secretary-General urges all concerned to exercise maximum restraint and to refrain from actions that would increase tension," Haq concluded. -- SPA 18:32 LOCAL TIME 15:32 GMT 0028 www.spa.gov.sa/w1143479