Six major economies Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan issued a joint condemnation Thursday of Iran’s attacks on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, strikes on oil and gas installations, and what they described as the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces.
The statement called on Tehran to halt its actions immediately but stopped short of spelling out what form of intervention the nations are prepared to join. The six governments said they stand ready to contribute to “appropriate efforts” to ensure safe passage through the strait without elaborating on what those efforts might look like.
Their statement came as roughly 20,000 seafarers sat stranded aboard some 3,200 vessels west of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the International Maritime Organisation, caught in what the IMO described as an effective Iranian blockade of the critical waterway.
“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,” the joint statement read.
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The six nations called on Iran to immediately cease mine-laying, drone and missile attacks, and any other attempts to block commercial shipping through the strait, and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817. They warned that Iran’s actions would be felt by people across the world “especially the most vulnerable” and said that interference with international shipping and disruption to global energy supply chains constitute a threat to international peace and security.
The statement called for “an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.”
On the economic front, the nations welcomed the International Energy Agency’s decision to authorise a coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves. They also said they would work with certain energy-producing nations to increase output and stabilise markets. “We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning,” the joint statement noted.
The six governments closed by calling on all states to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles underpinning international prosperity and security.
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