Von der Leyen: Closure of Strait of Hormuz greatly damaging

The restoration of free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is of “paramount importance”, the European Commission has said, as the European Union raised alarm over the economic and security fallout from escalating tensions in the Middle East.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed reporters after a meeting of EU commissioners focused on the regional crisis and its impact on the bloc’s energy security and trade routes, Caliber.Az reports, citing British media.

“The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is greatly damaging. The restoration of the freedom of navigation is of paramount importance for us,” she said.

She added that there could be no stability in the Middle East while Lebanon was still being bombarded.

By Aghakazim Guliyev