Spain says world stands at ‘tipping point’ as Mideast escalation risks long-term global energy crisis
'The world should not pay the consequences of this war,' says Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez
LONDON
Spain’s prime minister on Sunday demanded the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and warned that further escalation in the Middle East could trigger a long-term energy crisis.
"The Government of Spain demands the opening of Hormuz and the preservation of all the energy sites of the Middle East," Pedro Sanchez wrote on US social media company X.
"We stand at a global tipping point. Further escalation could trigger a long-term energy crisis for all humanity. The world should not pay the consequences of this war," Sanchez added.
Regional escalation has continued to flare since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing so far over 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.
Tehran has also effectively closed to 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.
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