At the UN, 80 states jointly condemned attacks by Iran in the Gulf and by the Houthi militia in the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula. Bahrain's foreign minister read the statement in New York, with backing from Kaja Kallas and Johann Wadephul. The declaration warned that Iran's strikes and the Houthis' push toward the Bab al‑Mandab Strait threaten maritime security, global trade and energy routes. Shipping companies are increasingly avoiding the Strait of Hormuz amid repeated attacks, and diplomatic efforts to secure safe passage have not yet succeeded.
80 Nations Condemn Iran and Houthi Attacks at UN — Warn of Risks to Global Trade and Navigation
Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani (L) delivers a statement alongside EU Foreign Affairs Representative Kaja Kallas on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly at the United Nations. (is associated with: «80 states slam attacks by Iran, Houthis in UN statement») Michael Kappeler/dpa
In a joint statement delivered at the United Nations on Thursday, representatives of 80 states strongly condemned recent attacks attributed to Iran across the Gulf and operations by the Houthi militia on the Arabian Peninsula and in the Red Sea.
Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al‑Zayani read the declaration in New York, where the statement was backed by the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.
The signatories criticized Tehran for strikes on states in the region and warned that those actions threaten international trade, energy security and freedom of navigation. "Iran's actions continue to threaten international security and freedom of navigation," the statement said, urging that the Strait of Hormuz remain fully open for commercial transit.
The statement also strongly condemned the pro‑Iranian Houthi militia for resuming hostilities in Yemen and for ongoing attacks on Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Al‑Zayani warned that the Houthis' advance toward the Bab al‑Mandab Strait would further exacerbate risks to international maritime security and global trade.
Reports indicate the Iran‑backed Houthi militia recently seized parts of Yemen's west coast in a rapid offensive, gaining access to the strategic Bab al‑Mandab at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. As the conflict has escalated, Saudi Arabia has come under renewed attack from the south.
Passage through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted amid rising regional tensions and repeated attacks on merchant vessels. Many shipping companies are now rerouting or avoiding the strait, while diplomatic efforts to establish durable guarantees for safe passage have so far not produced a breakthrough.
Implications
Analysts say continued attacks on key chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al‑Mandab raise the risk of wider disruption to global energy supplies and trade flows, underscoring the international community's concern reflected in the UN statement.
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