Doha: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union have together condemned the Iranian attacks on certain regional countries and vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz. They emphasized the significance of maintaining freedom of navigation in this critical international waterway.
According to Qatar News Agency, in a joint statement issued during the High-Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation in Brussels, both parties reiterated that freedom of navigation, including the right to traverse the Strait as an international passageway, is safeguarded under international law. The statement highlighted that under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), ships from all states are entitled to these rights, which must not be suspended, obstructed, or subjected to any conditions by any state.
The statement condemned the Iranian attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait and on the sovereign territories of nations in the region, including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Jordan. It noted that these actions endangered civilian lives and contravened international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2817, declaring them unwarranted.
The GCC and EU refuted any claims of sovereignty or control over the Strait by any country, deeming such claims illegitimate. They opposed imposing any system of clearances, transit tolls, or service exchanges for international traffic. Both sides affirmed that no bilateral arrangement or memorandum of understanding between states may unlawfully regulate or restrict the right of passage through an international strait, a right guaranteed under international law to all states.
Reaffirming their solidarity with the countries affected by these attacks and with sailors from all nationalities who were at risk, the two blocs stressed that an attack on one nation's security is a concern for all parties reliant on the safety of this crucial waterway. They urged Iran to immediately cease all attacks and interventions in maritime navigation, to keep the Strait of Hormuz open without conditions, and to comply thoroughly with international law and Resolution 2817.
The statement underscored that imposing any unilateral or unlawful mechanism affecting the safety of passage through the strait is unacceptable. It highlighted the importance of states operating within the framework of relevant international and regional institutions responsible for maritime navigation governance, safety, and security, notably supporting the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Finally, the EU and GCC expressed their intention to coordinate closely to protect freedom of navigation, commercial shipping, and sailors, and to promote lasting peace and security in the region in accordance with international law and the UN Charter. They called for restraint and reiterated their commitment to diplomacy as the means for crisis resolution and ensuring freedom of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.