Around 80 countries and regions jointly issued a statement at the United Nations on Thursday, September 24, demanding the urgent and comprehensive reopening of the vital Strait of Hormuz. The statement also condemned Iran’s actions in the Gulf, as well as the attacks by the Houthi armed group in Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the Red Sea, citing these actions as disruptions to international trade and energy security.
The statement was read by Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani during the UN General Assembly in New York. Signatories included Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, as well as Western countries like the US, UK, France, Germany, and entities like the EU, Arab League, and Gulf Cooperation Council.
The statement highlighted Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz as continued threats to international security, navigation rights, and freedoms. All parties called for the immediate and unrestricted reopening of the strait to ensure safe and unimpeded passage for vessels, without levying tolls or imposing other unlawful charges.
Zayani noted that compared to when various parties spoke out about the same issue around five months ago, the current threats remain “very real and escalating.”
The statement also condemned the Houthi armed group for reigniting the conflict in Yemen, ongoing attacks on Saudi Arabia, as well as assaults in the Red Sea. It warned that the Houthis advancing towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would further jeopardize international shipping, maritime security, and global trade.
The issuance of the statement came a day after a commercial vessel was attacked off the coast of Oman, resulting in the death of an Indian crew member, with the attackers yet to be identified. The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen announced on the 24th that its air defense forces intercepted and destroyed six ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis towards Taif and Yanbu. The Houthis later claimed to have launched dozens of ballistic missiles and drones towards Saudi Jizan province.