Germany: We reject the attempts of Iran and the Houthis to blackmail global trade

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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadewohl stressed that the conflict related to the Strait of Hormuz, the Houthi attacks in Yemen and Saudi Arabia and against freedom of navigation, as well as the repercussions of the increasing escalation of Russian attacks on grain shipments in the Black Sea, represent “grave challenges that cannot be addressed unless we go beyond the usual frameworks and work together in one direction.”

Before leaving Berlin to participate in the Istanbul meeting, Vadiful explained that a meeting on a German-Turkish initiative would bring together the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Britain and Italy, along with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Turkey, indicating that the participating countries are united by concern about the economic and security repercussions of these conflicts, as well as the desire to search for new paths to solutions.

He also added that the eight countries will send a message rejecting the attempts of Iran and the Houthi militia to “blackmail global trade” and disrupt energy and fertilizer supplies, calling for an end to attacks on freedom of navigation and neighboring countries.

He also pointed out that the repercussions of these attacks extend to Europe and the world, through their impact on trade, energy prices, and supply chains, warning of the dangers of food shortages in poor countries as a result of targeting grain and fertilizer shipments. He also accused Russia of threatening freedom of navigation in the Black Sea through its attacks on grain supplies, which exacerbates the risks of global food insecurity.

While he stressed that the meeting seeks to explore joint ways between the European countries and the participating regional powers to advance efforts aimed at resolving the crises in the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab and the Black Sea.

These statements come ahead of a meeting of foreign ministers from 8 European and Middle Eastern countries in Istanbul on Friday, in an unprecedented format, to hold talks on the Strait of Hormuz and the crises in the region.