The US and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have called for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that free navigation through the strategic waterway remains “essential” to regional and global security.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday after a US-GCC ministerial meeting in Bahrain's capital of Manama, the two sides emphasised the importance of reopening the strait, saying “free, unconditional, and unrestricted navigation", including the right of transit passage under international law, remains “essential to regional and global security".
The statement said the ministers rejected “any tolls, fees, or attempts to assert control” over the Strait of Hormuz.
The ministers also stressed the need to maintain “momentum and unity” as negotiations between the US and Iran proceed towards a more permanent end to hostilities, citing the “shared objective” of preventing Tehran from “ever developing or otherwise acquiring a nuclear weapon".
They also welcomed an announcement by Oman and the International Maritime Organization on launching an evacuation plan for more than 11,000 seafarers stranded in the region.
The six Arab Gulf states also voiced support for the new Iraqi government’s efforts to restrict weapons to state control amid concerns over “Iran-aligned militias” operating from Iraqi territory.
The GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.
