On March 19, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan said they are ready to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open, a vital shipping route for oil that has been blocked by Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump has asked allies to assist in reopening it.
In a joint statement, the countries condemned Iranian attacks on commercial ships and energy facilities and called on Tehran to stop its actions immediately. They said any disruption to global energy supplies threatens international peace and security, and that freedom of navigation must be respected under international law.
“We are very concerned about the escalating conflict,” the statement said. “We call on Iran to stop threats, laying mines, drone and missile attacks, and other actions that block commercial shipping. We are ready to help ensure safe passage through the Strait.”
The announcement came as Iran increased strikes on Gulf energy infrastructure, hitting refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and LNG facilities in Qatar, while also targeting shipping. The escalation pushed oil prices higher, with Brent crude above $119 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate briefly over $100, as markets worried about disruptions to roughly 20% of global oil trade passing through the Strait of Hormuz. (Agencies)
