EU and Gulf States Demand Iran Keep Hormuz Strait Open

The European Union and Gulf States have issued a joint statement calling on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz permanently open to international shipping without restrictions or fees. According to Saudi state television, the statement was released on Saturday and represents a unified position from key regional and Western powers concerned about maritime security in one of the world’s most critical waterways. The Strait of Hormuz, which sits between Iran and Oman, is one of the most strategically important chokepoints in global trade, with approximately one-third of the world’s seaborne oil passing through it daily. The joint declaration specifically opposes any Iranian attempts to impose permits or charges on international shipping transiting the waterway. The statement underscores growing international concern about potential Iranian restrictions on free passage through the strait, reflecting broader tensions in the Persian Gulf region. The unified stance from both European and Gulf Arab nations signals shared concerns about the potential economic and geopolitical consequences of any disruption to shipping lanes that are vital to global energy supplies.

Source: Walla News — Original article in Hebrew.