European Union foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas addresses the press upon her arrival for a gathering of EU foreign ministers at the European Council offices in Luxembourg on Tuesday. Virginia Mayo/AP
European foreign ministers have consented to broaden sanctions on Iran due to Tehran’s limitations on shipping within the Strait of Hormuz.
“The EU has extensive sanctions imposed on Iran, but today we have also achieved a political consensus to expand our sanctions framework to include those accountable for violations of freedom of navigation,” stated European Union foreign policy leader Kaja Kallas.
During their gathering in Luxembourg, the ministers emphasized that navigation freedom is “non-negotiable,” as stated by Kallas.
“Daily U-turns, regardless of the Strait of Hormuz being open or closed, are irresponsible.” “Transit through the strait should be cost-free,” stated the EU official.
Since the beginning of the war, Iran has effectively stopped traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, as ships proceed cautiously due to the unstable US-Iran ceasefire. Last month, Iranian officials announced they would keep imposing fees for the safe transit of certain tankers through the strait, following a Lloyd’s List Intelligence report on March 23 that stated at least two ships had paid substantial amounts to pass.
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