Europe, Japan ready to help keep Hormuz open

Britain, France, Germany, Italy,Canada, the Netherlands and Japan have agreed to join appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and said that they would take steps to stabilise energy markets. In a joint statement issued by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office, leaders of these countries also condemned the attacks by Iran and urged it to halt its actions immediately. They called on Iran to cease its threats immediately, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping. Leaders of these 6 countries said such interference with international shipping and the disruption of global energy supply chains constitute a threat to international peace and security.
They said that freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, and the effects of Iran’s actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable. The statement shows that concern is growing regarding Iran’s retaliatory strikes in response to US-Israeli attacks. Moreover, oil and gas facilities have been damaged by strikes from both sides, driving oil and gas prices higher. US President Donald Trump had urged other world powers and NATO to help reopen the Hormuz Strait to commercial shipping.
But Italy, Germany and France made clear later Thursday that they were not talking about any immediate military help, but rather a potential multilateral initiative after a ceasefire.Twenty-three commercial vessels, including 10 tankers, have reported incidents or having been attacked. The situation has left around 20,000 seafarers stranded on approximately 3,200 vessels west of the strait, according to the International Maritime Organization.