At UN, 80 countries demand reopening of Hormuz, condemn Iran, Houthi attacks

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, September 23, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab UNITED NATIONS, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Some 80 countries demanded the urgent reopening of ​the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday ‌and condemned Iran and its Houthi allies for attacks in the region and ​disruption to international trade and ​energy security. "Iran's actions in the Strait ⁠of Hormuz continue to threaten ​international security and navigational rights and freedoms," ​said a joint statement read out by Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al ​Zayani at the United Nations. Sign up here. "We ​also strongly condemn the Houthis' decision to resume ‌conflict ⁠in Yemen, their continuous strikes on Saudi Arabia, and their reckless attacks in the Red Sea," the statement ​said. The ​statement's backers ⁠included Gulf Arab states and major Western powers. It added ​that the Houthis' advance towards ​Bab ⁠el-Mandeb Strait would also only heighten risks to international shipping, maritime security ⁠and ​global trade. Both Iran and ​the Houthis frame their actions as defensive. Reporting by ​John Irish; Editing by Howard Goller Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Suggested Topics: Middle East X Facebook Linkedin Email Link Purchase Licensing Rights