Eighty countries at UN demand reopening of Strait of Hormuz and condemn Iran and Houthi attacks

On September 24, at the United Nations, about 80 countries, including Gulf Arab states and Western powers, issued a joint statement demanding the urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The statement, read by Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, condemned Iran and its Houthi allies for attacks disrupting international trade and energy security. It also criticized Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia and their advance toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Iran and the Houthis have defended their actions as defensive.