80 countries call for immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
At the United Nations on September 24, Bahrain’s foreign minister read a joint statement from 80 countries calling for the Strait of Hormuz to be fully reopened without delay. The signatories condemned actions attributed to Iran and the Houthis and called for safe, unobstructed passage for ships under international law.
Key points
- The statement tied the reopening demand to freedom of navigation and the protection of international trade.
Evidence · 3 source statements
- It also condemned Houthi actions in Yemen, against Saudi Arabia, and in the Red Sea, and warned of risks to shipping near Bab al-Mandab.
Evidence · 2 source statements
Who's involved
Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani
Bahrain’s foreign minister read the joint statement at the United Nations.
He called for navigation rights and principles to be fully restored without delay and condemned Houthi actions in Yemen, against Saudi Arabia, and in the Red Sea.
What they said · 2 source statements
The 80 signatory countries, including South Korea
They issued the joint statement and made the demands at the center of the event.
They said Iran’s actions threaten international security and freedom of navigation, called for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen fully and urgently, and demanded safe passage for ships without obstruction, tolls, conditions, or legal costs.
What they said · 4 source statements
Iran
The statement criticized Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran describes its actions as defensive.
What they said · 1 source statement
The Houthis
The statement condemned their actions in Yemen, against Saudi Arabia, and in the Red Sea.
The Houthis describe their actions as defensive.
What they said · 1 source statement
What was reported
- Eighty countries, including South Korea, issued a joint statement at the United Nations on September 24.
One source: Yonhap News Agency
Evidence · 1 source statement
- Bahrain’s foreign minister Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani read the statement.
One source: The News International
Evidence · 1 source statement
- The statement called for the urgent, complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and restoration of navigation rights without delay.
One source: Yonhap News Agency
Evidence · 2 source statements
- The signatories said ships should be able to pass safely and without obstruction, tolls, conditions, or legal costs under international law, including UNCLOS.
One source: Yonhap News Agency
Evidence · 1 source statement
- The statement condemned Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Houthis’ resumption of fighting in Yemen, continued attacks on Saudi Arabia, and attacks in the Red Sea.
One source: Yonhap News Agency
Evidence · 3 source statements
- It warned that Houthi advances toward the Bab al-Mandab Strait would pose further risks to maritime trade, security, and international shipping.
Reported independently by 2: Clarín, The News International
Evidence · 2 source statements
How coverage differed
Clarín — Described the call broadly as restoring maritime navigation in the Gulf and quoted Bahrain’s foreign minister.
Yonhap News Agency — Highlighted South Korea’s participation and the statement’s specific call for reopening Hormuz and ensuring passage under UNCLOS.
Daily Jang, relaying The News International — Highlighted Al Zayani reading the statement and included Iran’s and the Houthis’ description of their actions as defensive.
Still unclear
- Whether the Strait of Hormuz reopened afterward is not stated.
- The full list of signatory countries is not given.
Not heard from
- Saudi Arabia — The statement condemned attacks against Saudi Arabia, but no Saudi government response appears.