EU and GCC Reject Unilateral Claims Over Strait of Hormuz

The European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Saturday rejected and deemed unlawful any claim by a state to sovereignty or control over the Strait of Hormuz. The two blocs also opposed the imposition of permits or levies on international shipping transiting the strategic route. In a joint statement following the High-Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation held in Brussels on 13 July, the two blocs stressed that no bilateral arrangement, understanding, or memorandum of understanding between states can unlawfully regulate or restrict the right of passage in international straits. The EU and GCC affirmed that this right of passage is guaranteed for all states under international law and cannot be subject to the control of, or require authorisation from, any state. The forum was co-chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, in his capacity as Chair of the GCC Ministerial Council. Both parties reiterated that freedom of navigation, including the right of passage through the Strait of Hormuz as a strait used for international navigation, is guaranteed under international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). According to the statement, vessels of all states possess this right and no state has the authority to suspend, obstruct, or impose any requirements on its exercise. The EU and GCC also strongly condemned Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on the sovereign territory of several states in the region. The two blocs assessed that these attacks endanger the safety of civilians and crew members, violate international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2817, and cannot be justified under any circumstances. The EU and GCC urged Iran to immediately cease all attacks and any form of interference with international shipping and to keep the Strait of Hormuz open unconditionally, without the imposition of transit fees or service charges. According to the statement, any threat to the security of one state is a concern for all parties that depend on the safety of this vital shipping lane. The EU and GCC also expressed full solidarity with the affected countries and the seafarers of various nationalities whose safety is threatened. Both parties committed to continue strengthening coordination in safeguarding freedom of navigation and protecting international shipping and the safety of seafarers. Furthermore, the EU and GCC called on all parties to exercise restraint and reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as the path to resolving the crisis while ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions in the Middle East have risen recently amid continued tit-for-tat attacks between the United States and Iran. This military escalation occurred despite the two countries signing a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding in June to end the conflict and reach a sustainable peace agreement.