Immediate reopening of Strait of Hormuz called for after 40-nation meeting

Dozens of countries sought ways to restart vital energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday after US President Donald Trump vowed more aggressive attacks on Iran, sending oil prices higher again and deepening the strain on consumers.

On Thursday, a virtual meeting on the Strait of Hormuz hosted by Britain called for "the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait," signaling increased diplomatic pressure and coordinated sanctions on Iran.

According to a statement issued after the meeting, representatives from over 40 countries, as well as international organizations including the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union, attended the meeting convened by British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Highlighting the importance of the Strait of Hormuz, the statement described it as "one of the world's most critical maritime corridors" and "a primary route for global energy exports," saying its disruption "has immediate and far-reaching consequences for global supplies, prices and economic stability."

The summit discussed several areas of "possible collective, coordinated action," including increasing diplomatic pressure and imposing economic and political measures, such as sanctions, on Iran, and working jointly to help release the ships and sailors trapped in the strait.

After attending the virtual meeting, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz requires de-escalation, stressing that military approaches alone will not work and that practical maritime solutions are needed to address the crisis.

During the meeting, Dominguez briefed participants on the IMO's ongoing efforts. He urged states to support diplomatic efforts to ensure the evacuation of around 20,000 seafarers currently stranded in the Persian Gulf, and to enable humanitarian corridors for urgent assistance.

Following the meeting, Dominguez said that fragmented responses are no longer sufficient to resolve the crisis. "What is urgently required is diplomatic engagement, practical and neutral solutions, and coordinated international action," he noted.

He added that the IMO is advancing a maritime evacuation framework based on cooperation among coastal states, security guarantees and operational coordination, with the clear objective of releasing stranded vessels, enabling safe crew rotations and preventing an environmental disaster.

Since the outbreak of the conflict on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched large-scale military operations against Iran, the IMO has reported 21 attacks on commercial vessels. These incidents have resulted in the deaths of 10 seafarers, with several others seriously injured.

Following an extraordinary session of the IMO Council held on March 18-19, the IMO has taken a series of key steps, including advancing discussions with relevant states on a safe passage framework to evacuate stranded seafarers, engaging regional countries to secure supply lines and facilitate humanitarian access, and enhancing information-sharing and coordination with industry partners. 

The organization has also strengthened data collection and verification on maritime incidents, while contributing to a dedicated UN task force on the Strait of Hormuz aimed at addressing humanitarian needs through coordinated technical mechanisms.

A United Arab Emirates (UAE) senior official said on Thursday that the country is ready to participate in any measures to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing regional tensions.

Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, UAE minister of state, said in an interview with Al Ittihad that the UAE stands ready to contribute to efforts ensuring the safety of maritime routes in the strategic waterway.

The minister stressed that the Strait of Hormuz is an international passage governed by international law, and that any attempt to close it would violate international law and threaten global security. He added that the UAE will seek to safeguard its rights following what it described as Iranian aggression, while reaffirming the country's readiness to take part in collective measures to ensure regional stability.

(With input from agencies)