Over 20 countries express their readiness to help ensure the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz following recent Iranian attacks on unarmed commercial ships and infrastructure.
A coalition of 22 countries, including mainly European states as well as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, have issued a strong condemnation of Iran's recent attacks against unarmed commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf. In their joint statement, these nations expressed their commitment to contribute to efforts to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for global oil transportation. This comes amid heightened tensions following military actions initiated by the US and Israel against Iran, prompting retaliatory strikes by Iran that have further endangered shipping in the area.
According to data from the analytical firm Kpler, there has been a significant decline in commercial shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz, with vessels crossing the strait only 116 times between March 1 and March 19, representing a 95% drop compared to average peacetime traffic. The dramatic decrease reflects the escalating risks posed by the ongoing conflict and serves as a warning regarding the potential impact on global oil supplies, as a large percentage of the world's oil trade passes through this narrow passageway.
The coalition of countries has called for an immediate and comprehensive moratorium on attacks against civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities. This emphasizes the international community's growing concern over maritime security in the region, as additional military support and cooperation may be essential to maintain safe passage and prevent further escalation of conflicts that could disrupt global markets and economies.
