European countries including France, Germany and Italy have said they are ready to help ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, but only after a ceasefire is reached in the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important oil routes. A large share of global oil passes through it every day. Due to the current conflict involving Iran, shipping in the region has been badly affected, raising fears of a global energy crisis.
In a joint position, European leaders made it clear that they do not want to join any military action while fighting is still ongoing. Instead, they stressed that their focus is on reducing tensions and pushing for peace.
“We express our deep concern about the escalating conflict,” the allies' joint statement said.
“We 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,” it added.
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France has taken a strong stand on this issue. President Emmanuel Macron said that France will not take part in any operation to reopen the Strait during active conflict. However, he added that France is working with other countries to plan a future mission that could protect ships once the situation becomes stable.
Germany and Italy have also shown a similar approach. They have ruled out military involvement for now and have said that any action in the region should happen only after a ceasefire. European leaders believe that entering the conflict at this stage could make the situation worse and drag more countries into the war.
At the same time, these countries have shown concern about the impact of the crisis on global oil supply and prices.
The declaration came as an effective Iranian blockade of the strait has paralysed commercial shipping through the crucial maritime chokepoint, which in peacetime sees a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas pass through it.
The war, which erupted on February 28 when the United States and Israel began bombing Iran, has led Tehran to retaliate with strikes across the Gulf region.
Twenty-three commercial vessels, including 10 tankers, have reported incidents or having been attacked.
The situation has left around 20,000 seafarers stranded on approximately 3,200 vessels west of the strait, according to the International Maritime Organization. The disruption in the Strait has already pushed energy markets into uncertainty, affecting countries across the world.
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