More than 20 countries have pledged support for efforts to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, amid rising tensions following Iran’s closure of the vital waterway.
In a joint statement released on Saturday, the group made up largely of European nations alongside Gulf states such as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain strongly condemned recent attacks on commercial vessels and energy infrastructure in the region.
The countries accused Iran of targeting unarmed ships in the Gulf and carrying out strikes on oil and gas facilities, actions they said had effectively shut down one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
They also expressed readiness to support coordinated international efforts aimed at restoring safe passage through the strait, while welcoming ongoing preparations by allied nations.
The development follows weeks of escalating hostilities after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran in late February, triggering retaliatory attacks by Tehran across the Gulf region.
Shipping activity through the strait has dropped sharply, with data showing a dramatic decline in vessel crossings compared to normal levels.
The disruption has had a significant impact on global energy markets, as the Strait of Hormuz typically handles about 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supply.
The countries called for an immediate halt to attacks on civilian infrastructure, particularly oil and gas facilities, warning that continued escalation could further destabilise global energy supplies.
