European Countries and Japan Ready to Help Ensure Passage Through the Strait of Hormuz
The readiness to help guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is stated in a joint statement by Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan, published on March 19.
Illustrative image. Photo: AP Photo/Altaf Qadri
«We most strongly condemn Iran's recent attacks on unarmed merchant vessels in the Persian Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities, as well as the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces», — the statement says.
It is also noted that interference with international shipping and disruption of global energy supply chains «poses 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 facilities. We declare our readiness to contribute to relevant efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz», — the document states.
Exactly how these seven countries intend to participate in ensuring the safety of passage through the strait is not stated in the statement.
As noted by AFP agency, Italy and Germany, after the statement was made public, explained that it is not about the immediate deployment of military forces to the region, but rather about some joint international operation after a ceasefire.
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