Bahrain Leads 80 Nations in Condemning Iran and Houthis Over Shipping Attacks
Led by Bahrain, some 80 countries condemned Iran and the Houthis at the UN for disrupting global shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.
Led by Bahrain, approximately 80 countries condemned Iran and the Houthis on Thursday for disrupting maritime shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb strait, according to Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.
International Condemnation and Security Concerns
Speaking at UN headquarters, Al Zayani emphasized that the coalition of nations includes the European Union. A joint statement issued by the countries declared that Iranian actions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to threaten international peace and security.
The nations called for the immediate and full reopening of the strait without the imposition of illegal fees, conditions, or payments. They also condemned the Houthi decision to resume fighting in Yemen, along with attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
"We remain steadfast in our support of UN Security Council Resolution 2817 and call for its immediate implementation," the statement read.
Economic Impact and Diplomatic Outlook
Participants stressed that commercial shipping and civilian mariners must never be used as leverage. They cited warnings from the UN leadership regarding the severe risks of choking global trade routes and tightening constraints on the international food system.
When asked about the prospects for a diplomatic resolution with the Iranian regime, Al Zayani noted that diplomacy remains the preferred path. However, other regional diplomats expressed skepticism, suggesting that meaningful change in Tehran's behavior would only occur under severe economic pressure.
