G7 Leaders Support Safe Passage Through Strait of Hormuz
The Group of Seven (G7) leaders issued a joint statement on Sunday (March 22) pledging to ensure the safe passage of the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict in Iran.
“We reaffirm the importance of maintaining maritime routes and navigation safety, including the security of the Strait of Hormuz and all other related vital waterways, as well as ensuring the security of supply chains and the stability of energy markets,” the G7 leaders wrote in the statement released on Sunday.
The Strait of Hormuz is located off the southwest coast of Iran and is a critical waterway through which one-fifth of the global oil and natural gas is transported.
Since the United States and Israel launched attacks on the Iranian regime on February 28, energy operations in the region have been disrupted. The attacks resulted in the deaths of several senior officials, including regime leader Ali Khamenei.
The G7 leaders stated, “We are prepared to take necessary measures to support global energy supplies, such as the decision by members of the International Energy Agency (IEA) to release reserves on March 11.”
The G7 statement mentioned that the IEA has agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves to stabilize oil and gas prices.
However, global markets remain filled with uncertainty.
On the morning of March 22, Brent crude oil prices rose to $112.19 per barrel.
According to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average price of regular gasoline in the US has reached $3.94 per gallon, an increase of nearly $1 since the outbreak of the conflict.
President Trump warned that if Iran does not open the waterway for safe passage in the coming days, the US military will take retaliatory action.
In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump warned: “If Iran does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours from now without threat, the US will hit and destroy multiple power plants inside Iran, starting with the largest one!”
In another post, Trump stated that as the US considers “gradually ending” military operations in the Middle East, countries should be responsible for securing the waterway.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: “The Strait of Hormuz should be guarded and patrolled by other countries using it as needed—not the United States!”
He further stated, “If a country requests, we will assist in their operations in the Strait of Hormuz, but once the Iranian threat is eliminated, this would not be necessary. For these countries, it will be an easy military operation.”
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated that Japan is considering conducting mine sweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
In an interview with a Japanese TV station, Motegi stated, “If a comprehensive ceasefire can be achieved, then actions like mine sweeping may be discussed.”
Translated and rewritten from original article.