Iraq and Saudi Arabia stress importance of protecting Strait of Hormuz

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stressed the importance of protecting the Strait of Hormuz during a phone call Sunday with Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan, as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that “no ship is allowed to pass” the strategic waterway following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

At least 150 tankers and other vessels have been left stranded on either side of the chokepoint, anchored in open waters as shipping traffic halts and insurers withdraw coverage, according to European Union naval officials and maritime agencies. The strait normally carries about a fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas.

Hussein and Prince Faisal discussed “the military escalation and the attacks to which the two countries have been subjected,” warning of “the danger of other parties sliding into the arena of confrontation.” Hussein said “the continuation of the war would exacerbate disruptions in energy markets and negatively affect the stability of the global market.”

Both ministers called for “urgent action to contain the crisis and prevent its expansion” and agreed that “the best way to address crises lies in returning to peaceful tracks and adopting dialogue and negotiations.”

Iraq’s airspace remains closed and security forces have intercepted drones targeting military sites in several governorates. The government has declared three days of nationwide mourning following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.