Europe and Japan Issue Joint Statement: Ready to Help Secure Hormuz Passage, Condemn Iranian Attacks

Europe and Japan Issue Joint Statement: Ready to Help Secure Hormuz Passage, Condemn Iranian Attacks

The statement, released by the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan, condemns in the strongest terms Iran's recent actions, including attacks on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, strikes on civilian infrastructure (such as oil and gas installations), and the "de facto closure" of the Strait of Hormuz. It calls on Iran to immediately cease threats, mine-laying, drone and missile attacks, and all other attempts to block commercial shipping, in line with international law and UN Security Council resolutions (including Resolution 2817 condemning such acts).

Key excerpts from the joint statement (as reported by Reuters, Al Jazeera, UK Gov, and others):

- "We express our deep concern about the escalating conflict."

- "We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping."

- "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."

- The signatories pledge to take steps to stabilize energy markets, including supporting increased oil output and releasing strategic reserves where possible, to mitigate the impact of soaring prices and supply disruptions.

The statement avoids explicit commitments to military deployment (e.g., no mention of warships or direct participation in a U.S.-led coalition), framing support as "appropriate" and defensive. It emphasizes global economic harm—particularly to vulnerable nations—and the need to protect freedom of navigation in the strait, which handles ~20% of world oil and LNG.

This marks a nuanced shift: after weeks of hesitation (France, Germany, Japan declining firm naval roles; Trump criticizing "freeloading"), these allies signal growing alignment against Iran's blockade while prioritizing diplomacy and market stabilization over kinetic escalation. It follows recent Gulf strikes (e.g., UAE Habshan, Qatar Ras Laffan) and U.S. CENTCOM bunker-buster operations on Iranian sites.

The move could bolster Trump's proposed escort coalition indirectly, though no firm operational details emerged. As oil prices hover near $110/barrel and global energy strain intensifies, the statement underscores transatlantic and Indo-Pacific concern over the conflict's economic ripple effects.