At least 22 countries have announced a coordinated effort to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically vital global shipping route.
In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the countries-including the United Kingdom (UK), Germany, France, Japan, and South Korea-strongly condemned what they described as Iran’s attempts to effectively block the waterway.
The statement said the participating nations are prepared to provide all necessary support to guarantee freedom of navigation through the strait. The coalition includes several European countries, as well as regional partners such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain.
“We reaffirm our readiness to take appropriate measures to ensure safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement read, adding that countries already engaged in planning and preparatory measures were welcomed.
The coalition also condemned recent attacks attributed to Iran targeting commercial shipping, energy infrastructure and oil and gas facilities in the gulf region. It warned that continued disruption of maritime traffic could have serious global repercussions.
The move comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly following the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, which has heightened security concerns in the region.
Notably, this development comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has criticised NATO allies and signalled a potential reduction in US involvement, making the multinational initiative more significant.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint through which around 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes. Any disruption to shipping in the region has already contributed to increased volatility in global energy markets, including rising oil prices.
