GCC, EU condemn attacks in Strait of Hormuz, reaffirm freedom of navigation

Brussels: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union (EU) have condemned attacks targeting countries in the region and commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway. In a joint statement issued during the High-Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation in Brussels, the two sides reaffirmed that freedom of navigation, including the right of transit through the Strait of Hormuz, is protected under international law. The statement noted that, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), vessels of all nations enjoy the right of passage through international straits and that such rights may not be suspended, obstructed or subjected to conditions by any state. The GCC and EU also condemned attacks targeting commercial vessels and the sovereign territories of countries in the region, including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Jordan. According to the statement, such attacks endangered civilians and seafarers and violated international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2817. The two sides rejected any claims of sovereignty or control over the Strait of Hormuz by any country, describing such claims as unacceptable and illegitimate. They also opposed the imposition of transit fees, clearance requirements or service-related conditions for international maritime traffic. The statement stressed that no bilateral agreement or memorandum of understanding between states can lawfully restrict or regulate the right of passage through an international strait, a right guaranteed under international law to all nations. The GCC and EU expressed full solidarity with countries affected by the attacks and with seafarers of all nationalities exposed to danger, noting that any threat to the security of one state is a concern for all parties that depend on the safety of the vital shipping route. Both sides called for an immediate and unconditional halt to attacks and interference with maritime navigation and urged that the Strait of Hormuz remain open to international traffic without restrictions or charges. The statement also underscored the importance of respecting international and regional institutions responsible for maritime governance and safety, particularly the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The GCC and EU said they intend to strengthen coordination to protect freedom of navigation, commercial shipping and maritime personnel, while supporting long-term peace and security in the region in line with international law and the UN Charter. The two sides also called for restraint and reiterated their commitment to diplomacy as the preferred path for resolving crises and preserving freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.