20-nation joint statement: UK, France, Germany, Japan and allies pledge to help secure Strait of Hormuz
·Strait of Hormuz / International
Twenty nations — including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain, and Lithuania — issued a joint statement on March 19 condemning Iran's attacks on commercial shipping and pledging readiness to contribute to efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Signatories also committed to taking steps to stabilize energy markets.
A coalition of 20 nations issued a joint statement on March 19, 2026 — published simultaneously on gov.uk and partner government websites — condemning Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and pledging readiness to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
SIGNATORIES:
United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain, Lithuania, and additional partners.
KEY STATEMENT LANGUAGE:
- Condemned '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'
- Pledged 'readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts' to ensure safe passage
- Committed to taking steps to 'stabilize energy markets'
CONTEXT:
The statement came on Day 20 of the conflict, as Hormuz remained effectively closed to crude tanker transits. Brent crude had surged past $140/bbl. The statement represents the broadest formal Western + allied coalition response to the Hormuz closure, though without specific military commitments. Trump had called NATO allies 'cowards' the following day (Day 21) for not helping militarily during the conflict, while applauding UK bilateral support (British basing authorization). The Hormuz statement signals intent to act post-conflict rather than intervene immediately.
UK, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Japan, Canada and 13 others: 'Condemn in the strongest terms Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Ready to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage and stabilize energy markets.'
No direct Iranian response to the joint statement. Iran has maintained that Hormuz blockade is a legitimate response to US-Israeli strikes. Oil ministry stated no surplus Iranian crude available for international markets.