The US and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have called for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that free navigation through the strategic waterway remains “essential” to regional and global security.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday after a US-GCC ministerial meeting in Bahrain’s capital of Manama, the two sides emphasised the importance of reopening the strait, saying “free, unconditional, and unrestricted navigation”, including the right of transit passage under international law, remains “essential to regional and global security”.
The statement said the ministers rejected “any tolls, fees, or attempts to assert control” over the Strait of Hormuz.
RelatedTRT World – Oman, Iran discuss Hormuz navigation as Muscat rules out transit fees
The ministers also stressed the need to maintain “momentum and unity” as negotiations between the US and Iran proceed towards a more permanent end to hostilities, citing the “shared objective” of preventing Tehran from “ever developing or otherwise acquiring a nuclear weapon”.
