Iran Attacks: UK, France, Germany & Allies Condemn Persian Gulf Strikes & Offer Strait of Hormuz Security

London, UK – The United Kingdom, alongside France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan, issued a joint statement today condemning Iranian attacks targeting civilian energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf and affirming their readiness to contribute to ensuring the security of passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

The statement, released on March 19, 2026, calls for “an immediate and comprehensive moratorium on attacks against civilian infrastructure, and specifically against oil and gas facilities.” The nations declared their willingness to support efforts needed to guarantee safe passage through the critical waterway.

“We unequivocally condemn attacks by Iran against unarmed commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the practical closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces,” the joint statement read. “We express deep concern at the escalation of conflict. We urge Iran to cease immediately threats, mining, attacks with drones and missiles, and other attempts to impede maritime commerce through the Strait, and to adhere to UN Security Council Resolution 2817.” The statement further emphasized that freedom of navigation is a “fundamental principle of international law,” including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The coordinated response follows a morning of Iranian attacks on key energy structures in Gulf states, which triggered a more than 30% surge in European gas prices and expectations of oil reaching $200 per barrel.

The move represents a significant step, with the UK and France explicitly stating their readiness to “contribute” to safeguarding shipping lanes, according to reports. This commitment comes after previous calls from the United States for allies to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz.

While the statement signals a unified front, it does not detail the specific nature of the contributions each nation is prepared to offer. The joint statement was released by the UK government via GOV.UK.