France, the UK, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan have announced their readiness to help secure the Strait of Hormuz following recent Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf.
In a joint statement issued Thursday after strikes on Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas field, the six countries called for an immediate halt to attacks on civilian infrastructure, particularly oil and gas facilities.
The statement condemned recent Iranian actions, including attacks on unarmed commercial vessels, strikes on energy infrastructure, and the effective closure of the strategic waterway.
The six nations emphasized their willingness to contribute to efforts aimed at ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.
The UK indicated earlier this week that it is working with partners in Europe, the Gulf, and the US on a plan to restore maritime traffic in the strait.
French President Emmanuel Macron also raised the possibility of establishing a UN-backed framework for a future mission, following a European summit in Brussels.
Macron reaffirmed that France is prepared to take part in escorting ships as part of a non-military mission, while ruling out participation in any forced reopening of the strait during ongoing military operations.
The disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which typically handles around 20 percent of global oil supply along with significant volumes of liquefied natural gas, has driven a sharp rise in energy prices, impacting the global economy.
In response, the International Energy Agency released 400 million barrels from strategic reserves to stabilize markets and signaled readiness to deploy additional supplies if needed.
The six countries also pledged to take further steps to stabilize energy markets, including coordination with oil-producing nations to increase output, though no specific measures were detailed.
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