Twenty-two countries have pledged to help secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, as part of a joint statement, condemning Iran’s closure of the vital waterway.

Countries including the United Arab Emirates, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain, Lithuania, and Australia condemned Iran’s attacks on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf as well as oil and gas facilities in the region.

“We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces,” said the 22 countries.

The statement said the countries expressed their “readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait,” while also welcoming “the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning.”

The group also expressed deep concern about the escalating conflict and called on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping, and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817.

The joint statement, released through the UAE ministry of foreign affairs, said the leaders of the 22 countries expressed deep concern over what they described as the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces, calling it a serious threat to international peace and security.

They also urged Tehran to comply with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees freedom of navigation.

They warned that such actions place additional pressure on vulnerable which will be felt by people in all parts of the world.

“Consistent with UNSC Resolution 2817, we emphasise that such interference with international shipping and the disruption of global energy supply chains constitute a threat to international peace and security. In this regard, we call for an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.”

The countries also welcomed the International Energy Agency’s decision to authorise a coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves. They said they will take other steps to stabilise energy markets, including working with certain producing nations to increase output.

In addition, the statement said the countries are working to provide support for the most affected nations, including through the United Nations and the IFIs.

The joint statement concluded by emphasising that freedom of navigation and maritime security are fundamental principles of international law and essential for global prosperity. The countries called on all states to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security.

Trump signals five-day pause on US strikes on Iran energy infrastructure

US president Donald Trump on Monday said U.S. military strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure would halt for five days after “very good” and “productive” conversations with leaders in Tehran.

In a Monday Truth Social post, Trump wrote in all-caps that the U.S. and Iran “over the last two days” have had “conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.

“Based on the tenor and tone of these in depth, detailed and constructive conversations,” which he said would carry on “throughout the week,” the president has “instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five day period,” he wrote. Trump noted this was subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions.

The decision followed a 48-hour deadline set by Trump for Iran to fully open the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping channel for oil and other products. He had warned that the US would strike “various power plants, starting with the biggest one first” if shipping did not resume.

Over 20 countries offer ‘to contribute to appropriate efforts’ to keep Hormuz safe