The US and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries called Thursday for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that free navigation through the strategic waterway remains “essential” to regional and global security.

In a joint statement issued after a US-GCC ministerial meeting in Bahrain's capital of Manama, the two sides emphasized the importance of reopening the strait, saying “free, unconditional, and unrestricted navigation," including the right of transit passage under international law, remains “essential to regional and global security.”

The statement said the ministers rejected “any tolls, fees, or attempts to assert control” over the Strait of Hormuz.

The ministers also stressed the need to maintain “momentum and unity” as negotiations between the US and Iran proceed toward a more permanent end to hostilities, citing the “shared objective” of preventing Tehran from “ever developing or otherwise acquiring a nuclear weapon.”

They also welcomed an announcement by Oman and the International Maritime Organization on launching an evacuation plan for more than 11,000 seafarers stranded in the region.

According to the statement, the ministers welcomed the June 17 memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran and recognized the mediation roles played by Pakistan and Qatar.

They emphasized that lasting regional peace and security requires addressing what they called the “full spectrum of Iran’s threats,” including ballistic missiles, drones, and support for proxies in the region.

The ministers also said any trade and investment with Iran is “conditional and reversible,” depending on Tehran’s compliance with the memorandum of understanding and any final agreement, as well as ending what they described as Iran’s “destabilizing behavior.”

On Syria, the ministers expressed support for the Syrian people in building “a stable, peaceful, inclusive, and sovereign country fully integrated into the region,” and reaffirmed commitment to Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

They also reaffirmed commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial integrity, welcoming ongoing US-facilitated negotiations between Israel and Lebanon “aimed at creating conditions for a lasting peace and security agreement.”

On Gaza, the ministers reiterated support for President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2803, stressing that “no one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to return.”

They also condemned attacks by “Iranian proxies” in Iraq against GCC countries, including drone attacks damaging civilian facilities, critical infrastructure, and energy security.

The ministers further underlined support for Iraq’s new government’s efforts to “restrict weapons to state control and prevent non-state armed groups from using Iraqi territory to threaten neighboring countries.”

The GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. (AA)

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