80-Nation Coalition at UN Demands Urgent Reopening of Strait of Hormuz, Condemns Iranian Restrictions and Houthi Attacks

Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani read a joint statement on behalf of roughly 80 countries at the UN General Assembly in New York on Sep 24, demanding 'full restoration of navigational rights and principles without delay,' urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and safe transit for vessels 'without the imposition of tolls, conditions, or illegal charges.' The statement condemned Iran's restrictions on the strait in place since the Feb 28 outbreak of the US-Israeli war and renewed Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping and Saudi Arabia, citing a strike that killed an Indian crew member aboard a commercial vessel off Oman. 'Commercial shipping and seafarers must never be used as leverage,' Al Zayani said, adding 'the threat we face remains very real and continues to grow.' Diplomats said the coalition was weighing follow-up measures at the UN Security Council to enforce naval protection corridors.