UK and 19 countries commit to securing oil route in Strait of Hormuz

Moscow (ANTARA) - The British government has stated that currently 20 countries have expressed their willingness to contribute to ensuring the security of shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict.

Previously on Thursday (19/3), the first six countries, namely the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan, issued a joint statement on the matter.

“We state our readiness to contribute appropriate steps to ensure safe shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. We welcome the commitments of the nations involved in preparing the plan,” according to the joint statement.

These six countries emphasised that disruptions to international shipping and the global energy supply chain “constitute a threat to global peace and security”.

The countries also called for the implementation of a “comprehensive and immediate moratorium” to end attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.

The new countries include Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, and Romania.

Previously on 28 February, the US and Israel launched joint attacks against Iran, including Tehran, causing damage to infrastructure and loss of life.

Iran then carried out retaliatory strikes against Israeli territory and US military bases across the Middle East.

Due to this tension, shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and LPG supplies from the Gulf region to global markets, has come to a complete halt. As a result, many countries are experiencing rises in fuel prices.