EU and GCC Issue Joint Statement Rejecting Iranian Sovereignty Claims Over the Strait of Hormuz

What the EU-GCC Statement Says About the Strait of Hormuz Crisis

On July 18, 2026, the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issued a joint statement following the High-Level Forum on Regional Security and Cooperation in Brussels. The statement was co-chaired by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, chair of the GCC Ministerial Council . This collective diplomatic response marked one of the broadest international rebukes of Iran's conduct in the escalating crisis over one of the world's most strategically important waterways.

Core Provisions of the Statement

The joint statement contains several key provisions that together represent a unified position from two major international blocs:

• Rejection of sovereignty claims: The EU and GCC rejected as "unlawful" any claim by a state to sovereignty or control over the Strait of Hormuz. They explicitly stated that "no bilateral arrangement, understanding or memorandum between states may unlawfully regulate or restrict the right of passage through an international strait" .

• Free navigation affirmed: The two blocs reaffirmed that freedom of navigation through the strait is guaranteed under international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). "Ships of all states enjoy these rights, and no state may suspend, obstruct or subject them to any conditions," the statement declared .

• Condemnation of Iranian attacks: Ministers condemned "in the strongest terms" Iranian attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and on the sovereign territories of several Gulf states and Jordan, calling these attacks a serious threat to regional security and international navigation .

• Demand to halt hostilities: The statement called on Iran to "immediately and unconditionally cease all attacks and all forms of interference with maritime navigation" and to keep the Strait of Hormuz open without conditions, transit fees, or service charges .

• Compliance with UNSC Resolution 2817: The EU and GCC urged Iran to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, adopted on March 11, 2026, with 13 votes in favor and two abstentions (China and Russia). That resolution had condemned Iran's "egregious attacks" against Gulf states and affirmed their right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter . Resolution 2817 was co-sponsored by 135 countries, the largest number of supporters for any Security Council resolution .

• Solidarity and IMO coordination: The two blocs expressed "full solidarity" with affected countries and seafarers. They pledged continued coordination through the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other international bodies to protect shipping and pursue diplomatic solutions .

Background: The Escalation That Led to the Statement

The joint statement came against a backdrop of severe military escalation in early July 2026:

• July 6–7: Iran's Revolutionary Guards fired missiles at multiple commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports, the Qatari LNG tanker Al Rekayyat was struck off the Omani coast, and a Saudi-flagged oil tanker was also targeted . The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency confirmed a tanker was hit by an unknown projectile about 8 nautical miles east of Oman's Limah, causing a fire .

• July 11: Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to "unauthorized" traffic after striking a vessel that had "jeopardized maritime security." Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy stated that a vessel that had switched off its systems was struck and brought to a halt, warning that any retaliation would be met with a "severe response" .

• US military response: The United States launched multiple rounds of retaliatory strikes. One wave targeted 140 Iranian military installations, and additional rounds continued through July 13. Reports indicated over 300 Iranian military targets were struck across the campaign . The US-Iran interim ceasefire deal collapsed on July 8 after the attacks .

Why This Statement Matters

The EU-GCC joint statement is significant for several reasons. It represents a rare unified position between European nations and Gulf Arab states at a moment of acute crisis. By grounding their position in UNCLOS and UN Security Council Resolution 2817, the two blocs anchored their diplomatic response in established international legal frameworks rather than unilateral action. The explicit rejection of "transit fees" or "clearance conditions" directly countered Iran's reported demands that vessels seek Iranian approval before transiting the strait .

At the time of the statement, the Strait of Hormuz — through which about 20% of the world's oil passes — was effectively under siege, with tanker traffic at a near standstill and the threat level raised to "severe" by the US-led Joint Maritime Information Center .

Looking Ahead

The statement committed the EU and GCC to continued diplomatic engagement through the IMO and other international bodies, with the goal of protecting shipping and pursuing a negotiated resolution. However, the statement did not specify enforcement mechanisms or consequences for non-compliance, leaving open questions about how the international community would respond if Iran continued its attacks on commercial shipping in the waterway.