5 European powers and Japan condemn Iran’s closure of Hormuz

The leaders of six democratic countries — United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan — release a joint statement condemning Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

“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,” say the world leaders.

They call on Iran “to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping.”

Without mentioning Israel — which has attacked major Iranian oil and gas installations— they also call for an immediate end to “attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.”

They do not commit to sending military forces, but do “express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait.”