Discussions underway to find diplomatic solution to Strait of Hormuz blockade: EU foreign policy chief

BRUSSELS

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Friday that discussions are ongoing to find a diplomatic solution to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that a military resolution is not on the table.

Speaking to French broadcaster BFMTV on the sidelines of a G7 foreign affairs meeting in France, Kallas underlined the need for dialogue and coordination with international partners.

"The discussions are ongoing to find a diplomatic solution. We don't see any military end to this. That’s why there has to be a diplomatic way out. This is also what we are discussing here with the Americans," she said.

Kallas added that EU member states are closely monitoring developments in the Middle East.

"Member states are really listening to what kind of support it could be, because freedom of navigation is in all our interests, but we also need to understand what are the concrete requests," she said.

Regional tensions in the Middle East have escalated since Israel and the US launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing so far more than 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks across the region and has effectively closed for most ships the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit route that normally handles about 20 million barrels per day, and roughly 20% of global liquefied natural gas trade.