MIDDLE EAST LIVE 7 April: Humanitarian and economic pressures grow; Russia and China veto resolution on Strait of Hormuz

Hostilities continue across the Middle East, with ongoing strikes, rising civilian impacts and mounting pressure on critical infrastructure and humanitarian services. On the diplomatic track in New York, China and Russia vetoed a Security Council resolution put forward by Gulf States to ensure safety and security of ships in the Strait of Hormuz – find full coverage here. Meanwhile, displacement remains high, aid access is constrained. Human rights chief Volker Türk says President Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilisation is “sickening”. Stay with us for live updates from across the UN system. App users can follow coverage here.