The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan have issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s actions in the Gulf and declaring their readiness to support efforts to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping.
In the statement released on 19 March 2026, the six countries said they “condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces”. They expressed “deep concern about the escalating conflict” and called on Iran to “cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping, and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817”.
The leaders stressed that freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They warned that Iran’s actions would affect people worldwide, “especially the most vulnerable”, and described interference with international shipping and global energy supply chains as “a threat to international peace and security”.
The statement said, “Consistent with UNSC Resolution 2817, we emphasise that such interference with international shipping and the disruption of global energy supply chains constitute a threat to international peace and security. In this regard, we call for an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.”
On the key issue of maritime security, the six nations said, “We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning.”
They also welcomed the International Energy Agency’s decision to authorise a coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves and pledged to take further steps to stabilise energy markets, including working with certain producing nations to increase output. Support would also be provided for the most affected countries through the United Nations and international financial institutions.
The statement concluded by reminding all states that “maritime security and freedom of navigation benefit all countries” and urging them to “respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security”.
The move comes amid calls by US President Donald Trump to the users of the Strait of Hormuz to join US forces in protecting the vital waterway in the light of heightened tensions in the region following Iranian actions that have disrupted one of the world’s most critical shipping routes for oil and gas.
