UN human rights chief welcomes US-Iran deal, urges restraint in the region

The United Nations' human rights chief on Monday welcomed the peace deal between the United States and Iran, urging maximum restraint on all sides so a lasting agreement could be reached, Reuters reported.

U.S. and Iranian officials said they had reached an agreement to ​end their war, a preliminary pact that sent oil prices falling but leaves the fate of ​Tehran's nuclear program to further negotiations.

"I welcome the announcement that the United States ⁠and Iran have agreed on a peace deal that provides for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the ​reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a framework for further negotiations," U.N. rights chief Volker Turk said.

At ​this fragile moment it is clear all sides need to exercise maximum restraint and work to implement the agreement reached quickly and in good faith."

While still a framework, the deal marked the biggest breakthrough towards resolving the conflict that has killed thousands ​and upended energy markets since it began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.

Turk also voiced ​alarm over Israeli strikes on populated areas and infrastructure in Lebanon, and cross-border attacks by the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. He ‌called for ⁠an immediate end to hostilities, Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory and investigations into alleged violations of international law by all parties.