The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the European Union (EU) have jointly condemned attacks targeting Gulf states and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, urging Iran to stop actions that threaten regional security and maritime navigation.
The joint statement followed the High-Level Regional Security Forum held in Brussels on July 13. The meeting was co-chaired by Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al-Zayani, who chairs the GCC Ministerial Council, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.
The two sides said attacks against Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Jordan, as well as incidents involving international shipping, endangered civilians and seafarers while violating international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2817.
The GCC and EU expressed solidarity with the countries affected and reaffirmed that the security of the Gulf is closely linked to the stability of one of the world’s busiest energy and shipping routes.
The statement stressed that freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is protected under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It rejected any attempt to restrict international passage or impose conditions, fees or permits on vessels using the strategic waterway.
The two sides also dismissed any unilateral claims of sovereignty or control over the Strait, saying no bilateral agreement can override internationally recognized navigation rights.
Calling for an immediate end to attacks and interference with maritime traffic, the GCC and EU urged Iran to keep the Strait open and fully comply with international law. They also encouraged countries to work through international and regional organizations, including the International Maritime Organization, to strengthen maritime security.
The statement reaffirmed both sides’ commitment to continued cooperation in safeguarding international shipping and promoting regional peace through dialogue and diplomacy.
Separately, Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy warned that rising tensions in the Gulf could have serious consequences for regional stability and the global economy. He called on both the United States and Iran to de-escalate, return to negotiations and avoid using the Strait of Hormuz as a political or economic pressure point.
Fahmy said dialogue remains the only sustainable path to resolving regional disputes and preventing further escalation.
