EU and GCC reject 'unlawful' sovereignty claim over Strait of Hormuz

The European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council have rejected as "unlawful" any claim by a state to sovereignty or control over the Strait of Hormuz, whilst opposing the imposition of permits or fees on international shipping through the strategic waterway.

"No bilateral arrangement, understanding or memorandum between states may unlawfully regulate or restrict the right of passage through an international strait," the two blocs said in a joint statement following the High-Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation, held in Brussels.

They said the right of passage is guaranteed to all states under international law and "may not be subjected to the control or authorization of any state."

The forum was co-chaired by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani.

The EU and GCC reaffirmed that freedom of navigation, including passage through the Strait of Hormuz, is guaranteed under international law, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

"Ships of all states enjoy these rights, and no state may suspend, obstruct or subject them to any conditions," the statement said.

Maritime aggression

The EU and GCC also condemned "in the strongest terms" Iranian attacks on commercial vessels transiting the strait and on the sovereign territories of several regional countries.

"These attacks endangered the lives of civilians and seafarers, violated international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2817, and cannot be justified under any circumstances," the two blocs said.

They called on Iran to "immediately and unconditionally cease all attacks and all forms of interference with maritime navigation" and to keep the Strait of Hormuz open without conditions, transit fees or service charges.

"Any attack on the security of one state is a concern to all parties that depend on the safety of this vital waterway," the statement added, whilst expressing "full solidarity" with the affected countries and seafarers.

The two sides called for "restraint" and reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue and diplomacy to ensure freedom of navigation through the strait.