In a joint statement, leaders from Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan today condemned Iran’s recent attacks on shipping and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf that threaten global trade and security.
“We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf… and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces,” the statement said.
The leaders called on Iran “to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping.”
They recalled that freedom of navigation remains a core principle of international law. “Freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law.”
The leaders also indicated that “the effects of Iran’s actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable.”
In response to the crisis, the countries signaled readiness to support international efforts to restore safe passage through the Strait. “We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait,” the statement said, while welcoming ongoing planning by partner nations.
The statement urged restraint in attacks on critical infrastructure, emphasizing the need for “an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.”
(Dreamstime map of Persian Gulf region)