The Gulf states and the European Union issued a joint statement Saturday evening condemning attacks attributed to Iran against ships in the Strait of Hormuz and against sovereign territories of countries in the region. The statement also rejected any exclusive sovereignty claim over the strait and opposed transit fees.
The joint statement, first reported by The Zioneer at 22:47 Jerusalem, initially highlighted the rejection of illegitimate sovereignty claims and opposition to transit fees. The current version adds specific condemnation of attacks on ships and sovereign territories, attributed to Iran, and explicitly rejects any exclusive sovereignty claim over the Strait of Hormuz.
The statement comes amid ongoing diplomatic tensions over the strategic waterway. Earlier this month, the E4 powers (Germany, France, Italy, UK) urged a swift reopening of the strait, and the EU imposed sanctions on an IRGC naval unit over obstruction. In late June, Iran and Oman issued a joint statement reiterating their sovereign rights in the strait's territorial waters, as The Zioneer reported.
The Gulf states and EU have thus reinforced their collective stance: freedom of navigation under international law, rejection of unilateral claims, and opposition to any transit fees. The condemnation of attacks attributed to Iran marks a sharper edge in the joint position.
2 developments
- DevelopingIran and Oman reiterate sovereign rights over territorial waters in Strait of Hormuz
- StrongUAE says Iran attacked three of its ships in Strait of Hormuz, urges US to strike
- DevelopingKuwait condemns ‘abominable Iranian attack’ on two UAE ships in Strait of Hormuz
- StrongUS, Gulf states reject Iran's demand for Strait of Hormuz transit fees, guarantees — WSJ
Source and signal
- Open-source intake