UNITED NATIONS, Sep 24 (Reuters) – About 80 countries called for the urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday and condemned Iran and its Houthi allies for attacks in the region and for disrupting international trade and energy security.
“Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to threaten international security and the rights and freedoms of navigation,” said a joint statement read by Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani at the United Nations.
“We also strongly condemn the Houthis’ decision to resume the conflict in Yemen, their ongoing attacks on Saudi Arabia and their reckless attacks in the Red Sea,” he added.
Among the signatories of the declaration are the Gulf Arab states and major Western powers.
The document also notes that the Houthis’ advance toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would only heighten risks to international shipping, maritime security, and global trade.
Both Iran and the Houthis present their actions as defensive.
(Reporting by John Irish)
