22 Countries Confirm Participation in Securing the Strait of Hormuz and Condemn Iranian Attacks

SadaNews - 22 countries expressed their willingness on Saturday to contribute to efforts aimed at securing the Strait of Hormuz, while denouncing Iran's closure of the strategic passage. The 22 countries, mostly European along with Bahrain and the UAE, stated in a joint statement: "We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the strait," adding, "We welcome the commitment of participating countries in preparatory planning." The countries continued: "We vehemently condemn the recent Iranian attacks on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, the attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas facilities, and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces," as reported by "AFP." The joint statement regarding the Strait of Hormuz was issued by the Kingdom of Bahrain, the United Kingdom, the French Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Italian Republic, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Slovenia, the Republic of Estonia, the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Republic of Finland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and the Republic of Lithuania. The countries called for "Iran to immediately cease its threats, mine-laying, drone and missile attacks, and all attempts to disrupt commercial navigation in the strait, and to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817." The statement emphasized that freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, as stated in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; and that Iran's actions would impact people around the world, particularly the most vulnerable groups. The countries welcomed the International Energy Agency's decision to authorize the coordinated release of strategic oil reserves, affirming that they will take further steps to stabilize energy markets, including working with some producing countries to increase production. The statement stressed that these countries will also work to provide support to the most affected nations, including through the United Nations and international financial institutions. It noted that maritime security and freedom of navigation benefit all countries, and invited the countries participating in the statement to call on the international community to respect international law and adhere to the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security. Despite Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's confirmation on Thursday that Tehran had not yet decided to close the Strait of Hormuz, the Revolutionary Guard announced its "complete" control over this vital passage through which about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies transit. The Revolutionary Guard confirmed on Thursday that an American oil tanker was hit by a missile in the Gulf.