Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have joined 20 other countries in expressing readiness to help secure shipping through the vital waterway, the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE's Foreign Ministry has said.
The other countries are France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, the UK, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Lithuania and Australia.
The 22 countries issued a joint statement condemning attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces. They also expressed their readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. “We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning,” the statement added.
On 2 March, Iran announced restrictions on navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that ships attempting to pass without coordination would be targeted in response to ongoing US-Israeli attacks. The US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on 28 February, with Iran retaliating with repeated drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.
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Joint statement by 22 countries
We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces.
We express our deep concern about the escalating conflict. We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping, and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817.
Freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The effects of Iran’s actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable.
Consistent with UNSC Resolution 2817, we emphasise that such interference with international shipping and the disruption of global energy supply chains constitute a threat to international peace and security. In this regard, we call for an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.
We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning.
We welcome the International Energy Agency decision to authorise a coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves. We will take other steps to stabilise energy markets, including working with certain producing nations to increase output.
We will also work to provide support for the most affected nations, including through the United Nations and the IFIs.
Maritime security and freedom of navigation benefit all countries. We call on all states to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security.
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