The GCC and the European Union have strongly condemned Iranian attacks on commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz and against Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Jordan.
They reaffirmed that freedom of navigation, including the right of passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a strait used for international navigation, are guaranteed under international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, according to a joint statement issued yesterday after the High-Level Forum on Regional Security and Co-operation, held in Brussels.
These rights belong to the ships of all states and cannot be suspended, impeded, or made conditional by any state, the statement added.
The Brussels forum was co-chaired by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani in his capacity as president of the GCC ministerial council.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the attacks carried out by Iran against commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, and against the sovereign territory of States of the region, including Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Jordan. These attacks endangered civilian lives and mariners, violated international law and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, and are wholly unjustifiable,” according to the statement.
“We reject as unlawful any assertion of sovereignty or control over the Strait of Hormuz by any state, and we oppose any regime of permits, transit tolls, or service fees imposed upon international shipping. No bilateral arrangement, understanding, or memorandum between states can unlawfully govern or restrict the right of passage through an international strait, which is guaranteed to all states under international law and cannot be subordinated to the control or permission of any state,” it said.
“We express our full solidarity with the states affected by these attacks and with the seafarers of all nationalities placed in danger. An attack on the security of one is a concern for all who depend on the safety of this vital waterway.
“We call upon Iran to cease immediately and unconditionally all attacks and all interference with maritime navigation; to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, sustainably and without condition, toll, or fee; and to comply fully with international law and with Security Council Resolution 2817.
“We reject the imposition of any unilateral or unlawful mechanism or arrangement affecting safe passage through the Strait. States must work within and support international and regional institutions responsible for maritime governance, safety, and security, particularly the International Maritime Organisation.”
The GCC and the European Union will continue to co-ordinate closely to uphold freedom of navigation, to support the protection of international shipping and seafarers, and to advance a just and durable peace and security in the region, consistent with international law and the UN Charter, it added.
“We continue to call for restraint and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as means to resolve the crisis and to uphold freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”
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