Joint Effort
European nations, Japan to join efforts to open Strait of Hormuz
This story was originally published at 14:03 IST on 20 March 2026
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NEW DELHI – Several European nations and Japan have issued a joint statement saying they would take steps to stabilise energy markets, expressing their "readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage" through the Strait of Hormuz.
Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan in a joint statement urged for "an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations". The statement came after Iran's retaliatory attacks on various Gulf Cooperation Council energy facilities, combined with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, sent energy prices soaring. On Thursday, Israel attacked Iran's South Pars gas field, drawing retaliatory attacks.
"We 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," the joint statement said.
It called on Tehran to "cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts" to block the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which was adopted by the Security Council on Mar. 11, 2026.
The statement noted that the effects of Iran's actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable. "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," it added.
The nations said that they would take "other steps to stabilise energy markets, including working with certain producing nations to increase output". End
Reported by Asim Khan
Edited by Deepshikha Bhardwaj
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