'Stop laying mines, missile strikes': Europe, Japan warn Iran, signal readiness to secure Hormuz

Strait of Hormuz

• 6 nations condemn Iran's actions
• Iran's actions in Strait of Hormuz risk global energy supply
• Leaders urge Iran to stop attacks and follow international law

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Leaders of France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands and Japan on Thursday condemned Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz, calling its disruption of shipping a threat to global energy supply and international security. The US and Israel's war with Iran has thrust the Strait of Hormuz once again into the crosshairs of a geopolitical conflict.

"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 said.

Iran has ground to a halt nearly all traffic in the waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the rest of the globe's oceans, shutting down a critical path for the world's flow of oil. While Iran and Oman both have territory in the Strait of Hormuz, its narrow shipping channels are viewed as international waters through which all ships can travel. Still, Tehran holds significant influence over the passage through its nearby military presence and control of key islands in the area.

Attacks on commercial ships and threats of further strikes have stopped nearly all tankers from carrying oil, gas and other goods through the passage. That's also led to cuts from some of the world's largest producers, because their crude has nowhere to go.

The leaders said the escalating conflict had raised global concerns and called on Tehran to halt its actions. "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."

They stressed that maritime access through the waterway is governed by international law. "Freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea."

Citing international obligations, the leaders said interference with shipping amounted to a broader security risk. "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."

US President Donald Trump has been pressing NATO allies to deploy warships to escort commercial shipping through the Strait, but has said they have declined to participate. Several European countries, including France, have indicated reluctance to join such operations.

"We are not a party to the conflict, and therefore France will never take part in operations to reopen or liberate the Strait of Hormuz," French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday.