UNITED NATIONS, April 14 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday that the resumption of talks between Washington and Tehran is highly probable.
"The indication we have is that it is highly probable that these talks will restart," Guterres told reporters at the UN Headquarters.
He said that he met with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Tuesday, without giving further details.
Pakistan hosted the latest round of U.S.-Iranian negotiations in Islamabad over the weekend, although the parties were unable to reach an agreement.
"I consider essential that these negotiations go on," said Guterres, noting that it would be unrealistic to expect that such a complex, long-lasting problem could be resolved in the first session of a negotiation.
"So we need negotiations to go on, and we need a ceasefire to persist as negotiations go on," the UN chief said, adding that there is no military solution to the crisis and peace agreements require persistent engagement and political will.
"Serious negotiations must resume. The ceasefire must be preserved -- and extended as necessary. ... It is time for diplomacy over escalation. It is time for a renewed commitment to international law," said Guterres. ■
