UNITED NATIONS: About 80 countries on Thursday called for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and condemned Iran and its Houthi allies over attacks in the region and disruptions to international trade and energy security.
Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani read out the joint statement at the United Nations, saying Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz continued to threaten international security and freedom of navigation.
The statement was backed by Gulf Arab states and major Western powers, according to Reuters.
The countries also expressed concern over the situation in Yemen and strongly condemned what they described as the Houthis’ decision to resume the conflict, their continued attacks on Saudi Arabia and their operations in the Red Sea.
The statement warned that any further Houthi advance toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would increase risks to international shipping, maritime security and global trade.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key global shipping route, particularly for energy supplies, while the Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is also vital to international maritime trade.
80 countries demand reopening of Strait of Hormuz at UN
