Leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan issued a joint statement on 19 March 2026 condemning attacks on unarmed commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure and describing a ‘de facto’ closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces. The leaders called on Iran to halt threats, mine‑laying, and drone and missile strikes, and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817. The notice was updated on 20 March to reflect additional governments joining the text. (gov.uk)
The statement reiterates that freedom of navigation is a principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It adds that, consistent with Resolution 2817, interference with commercial shipping and disruption of global energy supply chains constitutes a threat to international peace and security, and calls for an immediate moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities. The leaders also signalled readiness to support appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait and welcomed ongoing preparatory planning. (gov.uk)
UN Security Council Resolution 2817 was adopted on 11 March 2026 with 13 votes in favour and two abstentions (China and the Russian Federation). The resolution condemned Iranian attacks against Gulf Cooperation Council states and Jordan and demanded they cease immediately. Regional and international actors - including the EU’s External Action Service and the governments of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates - publicly welcomed the decision. (eeas.europa.eu)
Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Strait of Hormuz is a strait used for international navigation. The transit passage regime permits continuous and expeditious navigation by ships and aircraft and cannot be suspended by coastal states; bordering states must not hamper such passage, and users must refrain from any threat or use of force and comply with established sea lanes and traffic separation schemes. These provisions frame diplomatic and legal responses when civilian shipping is impeded. (un.org)
Energy security measures form the second pillar of the leaders’ response. They welcomed the International Energy Agency’s decision to authorise a coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves. On 11 March 2026, IEA member countries agreed the largest emergency stock action in the Agency’s history - up to 400 million barrels - drawing on more than 1.2 billion barrels of emergency stocks, with further industry stocks held under government obligation. The UK separately confirmed participation in the coordinated release. (iea.org)
The scale of the potential disruption explains the market focus. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz averaged 20.9 million barrels per day in 2023 - more than one‑quarter of global seaborne oil trade - underscoring why any sustained interference quickly transmits into prices and supply risk well beyond the Gulf. (eia.gov)
Participation in the joint statement expanded after publication. As recorded by the UK Government’s update on 20 March, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain and Lithuania confirmed they had joined. (gov.uk)
The text also commits to supporting the most affected nations through the United Nations and international financial institutions, and to working with certain producing countries to increase output. Taken together with the IEA decision, this indicates a two‑track response focused on enabling safe transit while stabilising energy markets. (gov.uk)
Maritime agencies have echoed the call to protect seafarers and shipping. The International Maritime Organization has stated that attacks on civilian vessels are unacceptable and that freedom of navigation must be respected, noting recent casualties among crews in the Strait. This aligns with the leaders’ readiness to support measures that ensure safe passage. (imo.org)