Voicing deep concern over possible ripples from energy shocks of the Iran war, major European nations have called for a moratorium on strikes against oil and gas infrastructure and asked Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for maritime shipping.
A joint statement issued by leading European nations—United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Netherlands—alongside Japan and Canada, signals an increasingly unified international concern over escalating tensions in the Gulf, particularly surrounding the critical maritime chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz.
The call by the major economies came as Iran has unleashed a wave of retaliatory strikes on oil and gas facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in the three-week old conflict, set off with a launch of U.S. and Israeli coordinated strikes on February 28.
International concern heightened this week over the future course of energy markets as oil jumped to $119 per barrel on Thursday before dropping to $92 per barrel after Iran hit Qatar’s largest Liquified Natural Gas field in response to Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars Gas field.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said it acted alone in striking Iran’s South Pars gas field, the world’s largest, and has halted strikes after President Donald Trump’s urging.
President Donald Trump, who announced the operations against Iran three weeks ago, recently criticized European nations and other major economies for declining to join a U.S.-led effort to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, saying NATO faces a bad future by not helping the effort.
Trump Says NATO Faces ‘Very Bad’ Future Without Hormuz Help.
In their statement, the rich industrialized nations — that rely on a steady supply of fuel – condemned what they described as recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels navigating the Gulf waters.
They further denounced strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations, and accused Iranian forces of effectively enforcing a de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz—an artery through which the lifeblood of global energy flows.
“Maritime security and freedom of navigation benefit all countries. We call on all states to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security.”
The signatories called on Iran to immediately halt its threats, including the laying of naval mines, and cease drone and missile attacks that have disrupted commercial shipping. They also urged Tehran to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817, underscoring that adherence to international mandates remains central to de-escalation.
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At the heart of the issue lies a principle that transcends regional disputes: freedom of navigation. Rooted in international law and codified under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, this principle ensures that global maritime routes remain open and secure. The disruption of such routes, as the statement warned, has far-reaching consequences—ones that will disproportionately affect vulnerable populations across the globe.
The implications extend far beyond the Gulf. The signatories emphasized that interference with international shipping and the resulting disruption of global energy supply chains constitute a direct threat to international peace and security. In line with UNSC Resolution 2817, they called for an immediate and comprehensive moratorium on attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, particularly oil and gas facilities.
The coalition expressed readiness to contribute to coordinated efforts aimed at ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. They welcomed the commitment of other nations already engaged in preparatory planning to secure maritime routes, hinting at the possibility of multinational naval or logistical initiatives.
Amid uncertainty over oil and gas shipping, the International Energy Agency has authorized a coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves in an effort to cushion the shock to global markets.
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The participating nations also pledged to take further steps to stabilize energy prices, including collaboration with oil-producing countries to increase output. Additionally, they committed to supporting the most affected nations through mechanisms provided by the United Nations and international financial institutions.
The conflict has spotlighted the strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow waterway on Iran’s maritime border is among the busiest and most vital oil shipping channels in the world. Approximately 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies pass through it, linking the energy-rich Gulf region to international markets.
Here is the complete text of the statement released by the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office:
“March 19, 2026
Ottawa, Ontario
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.
We express our deep concern about the escalating conflict. 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, and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817.
Freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The effects of Iran’s actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable.
Consistent with UNSC Resolution 2817, we emphasize that such interference with international shipping and the disruption of global energy supply chains constitute a threat to international peace and security. In this regard, we call for an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.
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.
We welcome the International Energy Agency decision to authorize a coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves. We will take other steps to stabilize energy markets, including working with certain producing nations to increase output.
We will also work to provide support for the most affected nations, including through the United Nations and the IFIs.
Maritime security and freedom of navigation benefit all countries. We call on all states to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security.”
Kiran Asim is a writer who covers the U.S., Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. Her reports and analyses look at the geostrategic issues and contemporary developments and their economic and political implications. She also writes about society and education.
