UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the resumption of talks between Iran and the United States, said his spokesman on Friday.

The secretary-general hopes that the talks will help reduce regional tensions and prevent a broader crisis, said his spokesman in a note to correspondents.

The secretary-general has consistently advocated for de-escalation and the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the UN Charter. All concerns can and should be addressed through peaceful dialogue, said the note.

Guterres is grateful to countries in the region for their efforts to help make these talks possible, and to Oman for hosting them, said the note.

Iran and the United States held indirect talks mediated by Oman in Muscat on Friday. ■