Gulf Cooperation Council and European Union Issue Joint Statement on Strait of Hormuz Navigation
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, data published by Mehr News Agency, citing Al Jazeera, reveals that the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union have jointly claimed that freedom of navigation and passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as an international waterway, is guaranteed under international law.
The joint statement asserted that the freedom of navigation and the right of transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz, recognized as an international shipping strait, are guaranteed by international regulations.
The GCC and Europe, in their statement, adopted a confrontational stance, condemning what they termed “Iran’s attacks on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and the sovereign territory of regional countries.”.
Another section of the statement read: “We oppose any claims of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz by any country, as well as the imposition of any tariffs, transit fees, or charges for services in this waterway.”.
The issuers of the statement concluded by claiming: “We call on Iran to immediately cease attacks and interference in maritime affairs and to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to international navigation without any conditions or the imposition of tolls.”.
