Iran Attacks: 22 Nations Back Safe Gulf Passage

Twenty-two countries have signed a joint statement condemning Iran’s actions against commercial shipping and expressing readiness to participate in efforts to secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement released today.

The signatories include the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Novel Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain, Lithuania and Australia. The statement follows a series of incidents involving vessels in the region, amid heightened tensions stemming from the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.

The joint statement does not detail specific military commitments or outline a unified response plan. Italy’s Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that the agreement does not constitute a “war mission” and that any involvement in securing the Strait would require “a truce and without an extended multilateral initiative.”

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, is approximately 104 miles long and varies in width from 24 to 60 miles. It’s the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean and is considered one of the world’s most strategically important choke points, handling roughly 20% of the world’s liquefied natural gas and 25% of all seaborne oil trade annually, according to a recent report from Wikipedia.

Traffic through the Strait has decreased significantly since the start of the conflict three weeks ago, with reports indicating a 95% reduction in vessel traffic, according to Lloyd’s List. Iran has indicated it is developing a vetting system for ships seeking to transit the waterway, with approval granted on a case-by-case basis. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is reportedly developing the vetting system, requiring detailed information about vessel ownership and cargo destinations.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated this week that the Strait is “open, but closed to our enemies,” signaling a potential shift from earlier threats to block the waterway entirely. Earlier this month, a Thai vessel was reportedly struck by a drone in the Strait, and another tanker off the coast of the United Arab Emirates was hit by an “unknown projectile” while at anchor, sustaining minor structural damage, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center.

The incidents have prompted concerns about potential sea mines and disruptions to global oil supplies. U.S. President Donald Trump previously called for NATO allies to assist in securing the Strait, a request that met with caution and resistance from some member states.