Joint statement condemns Iran attacks on shipping and calls for safe passage through Strait of Hormuz
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LONDON, March 21 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - A group of countries including the United Arab Emirates, Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Canada, Romania and Bahrain condemned recent Iranian attacks on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf and called for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a joint statement issued on Saturday.
The statement also condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations, and described Iranian actions as amounting to the de facto closure of the strait.
The countries expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict and called on Iran to halt threats, the laying of mines, drone and missile attacks, and other attempts to block commercial shipping through the waterway.
They said freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law and warned that interference with international shipping and disruption to global energy supply chains threaten international peace and security.
The signatories called for an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.
They also said they were ready to contribute to efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and welcomed preparatory planning by countries involved in that effort.
The statement welcomed the International Energy Agency’s decision to authorise a coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves and said further steps would be taken to help stabilise energy markets, including work with some producing nations to increase output.
The countries also said they would support the nations most affected through the United Nations and international financial institutions.
The statement was issued by the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain, Lithuania and Australia.
