[Guterres Warns Continued Closure of Hormuz Strait Will Lead to Severe Consequences] Golden Finance reported that on May 1, local time April 30, United Nations Secretary-General Guterres held a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York regarding the Middle East crisis. He pointed out that the Middle East crisis is entering its third difficult month. Despite a fragile ceasefire, the situation is deteriorating over time. Guterres expressed deep concern over the restrictions on freedom of navigation in the Hormuz Strait. Guterres stated that if the strait remains closed until mid-year, global economic growth will drop to 2.5%, inflation will rise to 5.4%, an additional 32 million people will fall into poverty, and 45 million more will face extreme hunger. If the strait remains closed until the end of the year, global economic growth will decline to 2%, and inflation will exceed 6%. Guterres urged all parties to avoid any actions that could undermine the ceasefire. He emphasized that the United Nations system is working to mitigate the impact of the current crisis. (CCTV News)