GCC and the United States: Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is crucial

The foreign ministers of Gulf Cooperation Council member states and US Secretary of State Rubio held a ministerial meeting in Manama, Bahrain, and issued a joint statement. The statement emphasized that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is of significant importance and that “free, unconditional, and unrestricted” navigation in this strait, including the right of transit guaranteed by international law, remains crucial for regional and global security. The statement expressed opposition to any actions imposing transit fees or attempting to control the Strait of Hormuz, and welcomed the announcement by Oman and the International Maritime Organization to launch a plan for evacuating stranded seafarers in the Strait. It also stated that any trade and investment with Iran depends on whether Iran “complies with the memorandum of understanding and the final agreement” and creates the necessary conditions for economic engagement.