Overview
- The UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan issued a joint statement condemning attacks on ships and energy facilities and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces.
- The statement says the six nations are ready to contribute to appropriate efforts and preparatory planning to ensure safe passage, but it offers no pledges of military assets.
- Iranian lawmakers are weighing legislation to levy tolls and taxes on vessels using the strait, and a senior adviser signaled a planned “new regime” for regulating traffic after the war.
- Reports indicate Iran has vetted a small number of vessels to use a corridor through its territorial waters near Larak Island, with permissions managed case by case and at least one passage reportedly paid for.
- Shipping data show crossings have collapsed by roughly 95 percent, and the U.S. is considering easing restrictions on Iranian oil already at sea and further strategic reserve actions as the IEA’s coordinated stock release proceeds.