AP reported on April 2 (local time) that foreign ministers from more than 40 countries held a virtual meeting to explore ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper chaired the afternoon session and said, “We are focusing on diplomatic and international plans that include all lawful diplomatic and economic measures and the collective application of pressure.” She said the 40 countries concentrated their discussions on coordinated measures to protect vessels and crews trapped in the strait and on effective international cooperation to restore safe passage.
She said there have been more than 25 attacks on ships in the strait, leaving roughly 2,000 vessels and about 20,000 seafarers effectively stranded, and she condemned Iran’s reckless actions toward states not involved in the conflict as a threat to the global economy.
Major NATO members, including France, Germany and Canada, participated in the meeting, along with the United Arab Emirates and India. South Korea was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Jeong Eui-hye.
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