Czechia joined statement on securing the Strait of Hormuz

Fourteen countries, including the Czech Republic, joined a joint statement on Friday in which European and other countries expressed their willingness to help ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reports. In the statement, the countries also called for an end to Iranian air attacks and other attempts to block the strait. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said earlier that the statement was political, not military in nature. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Adam Čörgő told the Czech News Agency (ČTK) that by signing it, Czechia had reaffirmed its positions and solidarity with its allies.

The statement was signed on Thursday by the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan. On Friday, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand and Bahrain joined, along with Czechia.

By joining the statement, Czechia reaffirmed its positions and solidarity with its allies and partners, Čörgő said. He said the Czech Republic had already expressed its position at various meetings, including with ministers from countries in the region facing Iranian attacks. “This is also linked to our efforts to protect the interests of the Czech Republic and its citizens in the region, as well as our energy security and competitiveness,” he added.

In response to Israeli and US strikes that began on 28 February, Tehran brought shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to a standstill. The strait is a major route for oil and gas exports. Before the war began, 20 percent of all oil traded on the global market was transported through the strait. Through a combination of several attacks and repeated warnings to vessels that its armed forces decide whether ships can safely pass through the strait, the Iranian regime has significantly restricted the movement of commercial ships and tankers.

“We are deeply concerned about the escalation of the conflict. We call on Iran to immediately desist from its threats, the laying of mines, drone and missile attacks, and other attempts to block the strait to commercial shipping,” the countries said in the statement.

They also called for an immediate, blanket ban on attacks against civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that the countries using the Strait of Hormuz should patrol it. Trump said in the post that the United States does not use the strait, but is nevertheless willing to provide assistance if asked. In recent days, Trump had called on European NATO member states and other countries to help ensure security in the strait. He later called them cowards for their reluctance to get involved.