Several countries are responding to US President Donald Trump’s threat to blockade Iranian ports.
Spain‘s Defence Minister Margarita Robles has used some of the strongest language so far, saying the proposal “makes no sense”.
China is urging calm and restraint, adding that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open is in the common interest of the international community.
Asean – a group of 11 Southeast Asian nations, many of which rely on the Middle East for energy – has called for “full and effective implementation of the ceasefire… ensuring maritime security and freedom of navigation and overflight”.
Meanwhile, France‘s Macron says France and the UK will organise a conference “aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait” in the “coming days”.
As we’ve reported, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the UK is “not supporting a blockade”.