The United Kingdom and a group of international partners have signalled readiness to take action to safeguard shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, following a joint statement condemning recent Iranian activity in the region.
Leaders from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Canada criticised attacks on commercial vessels and infrastructure, as well as efforts to restrict access to one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.
“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,” the statement said.
The group warned that continued disruption to shipping and energy flows would have global consequences, particularly for vulnerable economies.
“The effects of Iran’s actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable,” the leaders said.
They called for an immediate halt to attacks and interference with commercial traffic, including the laying of mines and the use of drones and missiles targeting maritime activity. “Freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law,” the statement added, referencing obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Alongside condemnation, the statement signalled that participating nations are preparing potential responses to ensure safe passage through the Strait. “We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning,” it said.
Maybe condemn the halfwit who started this latest spasm of *uckwittery as well?
He is going to have to be cut off at the knees in the mid terms or the whole World will be in collapse in another 3 years of this. Amazing what one protected paeodophile can set in motion when so many are willing to turn a blind eye…. If not actually actively involved.
What a sh-t sh-w the buffoon in the Whire House and his attack dog at the Pentagon have got us all into. When Iran can hit Israeli refineries at will it deeply concerns me the dangers any ships would face trying to open the Strait of Hormuz. Not even sure they will be able to achieve much either while in the firing line, tankers are very big targets with very little engagement time for any warship. Anyone with real military experience have any insights.
Well General Nick carter said we have to do it and send ships, but it’s high risk and we may loss them
“ quite exciting meant ships could be lost, he added: ‘It would be challenging, no doubt about it, the risks as I have described them are significant.’
However he added that it should be balanced against the interest the UK and the global economy has in keeping the Straits open.”
The strait is only 21miles wide.. it has islands to hid behind and is flanked by mountainous terrain on the Iranian side..
It’s got two 2 mile wide shipping lanes separated by 2 miles.. so a 6 mile wide deep channel for the tankers..
It’s 104 miles long and supertankers have a top cruise speed of 13-17 knots ( most can’t reach beyond 15-16 knots).. they cannot essentially turn around in the straits at 17 knots they require a 10 mile wide shipping lanes+ shipping lane.. they take miles for a crash stop and then they would need to do a U turn.. essentially you go in your committing to a 17knot manoeuvre on a known heading and speed for 100 miles ( 4-5 hours) about 10 miles from an enemy coastline… looking after a set of ships that will burn with any hit and cannot manoeuvre…
Unless the US takes that 100 miles of coastline with significant ground forces and completely suppresses all resistance ships will die.
And the moment the convoy system fails insurance policies will be pulled..
And you need to keep 100 ships a day safe every day..
It’s to all intents and purposes impossible with military force unless you physically invade.
God be with all who sail into this sad unfortunate storm.
The numpty did claim the job in the straits was easy and couldn’t understand why nobody wanted to go there! That’s after sending HIS two mine hunters to the other side of the pacific🙄
What’s worse as we have seen time and again this PM has no insight whatsoever as to what can be done even in trying to look decisive he is indecisive I fear he will under pressure take a military decision based purely on political self survival trying to please everyone by using the military as cannon fodder simply because he doesn’t despite all the evidence recognise over reach. So let’s hear the plan for once, or do we need a damn Committee for that.
I actually don’t know what any of that means in a practical sense. Was it in English?
I hope we condemn Israel for bombing gas infrastructure as well and take sanctions against them. Two sets of animals we are dealing with now. Bombing desalination plants and now gas infrastructure.
The UK has played this right and joining with the major European Allie’s and Japan sends the right message to both sides. Next we should bring in China if they don’t stop.