The International Maritime Organization's council issued a strong condemnation on Thursday of Iran's attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf and surrounding waters. More than 115 member states supported a UAE-led declaration at the extraordinary session in London, demanding that Iran refrain from obstructing navigation and threatening commercial shipping.

The declaration highlighted Iran's drone, missile and mine threats that have effectively closed the strait for nearly three weeks, stranding about 20,000 seafarers and collapsing traffic through the vital chokepoint for 20% of global oil and LNG. Over 20 merchant vessels have been attacked in recent weeks, resulting in at least seven seafarer deaths. UAE representative Mohamed Khamis Saeed AlKaabi stated the international community demanded Iran respect obligations under international law for free navigation through the strait.

In a separate joint statement, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands called on Iran to cease threats, mine-laying, drone and missile attacks blocking the strait to commercial shipping. The allies urged an immediate moratorium on strikes against civilian infrastructure like oil and gas facilities and expressed readiness to support safe passage efforts.

Australia joined the chorus at the IMO session, with permanent representative Jay Weatherill declaring Iran had turned the strait into a "theatre of coercion and conflict." He noted the disruptions triggered global energy shocks, surging oil prices and risks to seafarers.

The condemnations followed Iran's escalation on Thursday, when it struck Qatari LNG facilities at Ras Laffan with missiles, causing extensive damage and halting production, alongside hits on Kuwaiti oil refineries, UAE gas operations and Saudi facilities. Merchant vessels were also targeted, with one set ablaze off the UAE coast and another damaged off Qatar. Tehran cited retaliation for an Israeli strike on its South Pars gas field, shared with Qatar.

Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE denounced the strikes, with Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit calling them a dangerous escalation. Brent crude spiked above $119 per barrel before settling lower, while European natural gas prices doubled in the past month.

The IMO referenced UN Security Council Resolution 2817, adopted March 11 by a 13-0-2 vote, which condemned Iran's attacks on Gulf states including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE as breaches of international law threatening global peace. The Gulf-backed measure demanded Tehran halt hostilities.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Domingues will coordinate safe passage frameworks starting Monday, emphasizing diplomacy over naval escorts. A follow-up session is set for July amid calls to protect seafarers with supplies and evacuations.