Reactions and statements from the international community
During their meeting in Beijing, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on the importance of maintaining the Strait of Hormuz open to prevent disruptions to global energy supplies.
Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, stated that it is time to "consign America's domineering behavior to the dustbin of history" and emphasized that there is no military solution to issues related to Iran. He also called on BRICS member countries and the international community to condemn violations of international law by the United States and Israel.
The US military has officially suspended its troops rotations to Europe, according to the Lithuanian defence minister.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on China to pressure the Iranian regime to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, following reports of a ship seized near the UAE and moved toward Iranian waters, amid escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations announced that a ship has been taken over by "unauthorized" individuals off the coast of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, near the Strait of Hormuz, and is now heading toward Iran's territorial waters.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced that a Japanese ship detained in the Persian Gulf has safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz and is returning to Japan; the ship had four Japanese crew members on board, and Takaichi stated that Japan will continue diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe passage of the remaining 39 ships linked to Japan in the Persian Gulf.
Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi announced on Thursday, May 14, that a Japanese tanker carrying 1.9 million barrels of crude oil from Kuwait and the UAE successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz and is en route to Japan, expected to arrive by late May or early June.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) ordered the immediate evacuation of multiple towns in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, instructing residents to move at least 1 km to open ground, citing a Hezbollah ceasefire violation. The IDF stated it would take forceful action against Hezbollah positions.
The Japanese Prime Minister announced the departure of Japan's second vessel from the Persian Gulf amid ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. A senior South Korean official stated that the likelihood of a party other than Iran being responsible for the attack on the Seoul vessel is "low."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, en route to China, stated that it is in China's interest to pressure Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, urging Beijing to take action at the United Nations. Rubio also criticized Iran's efforts to build a missile and drone arsenal to protect its nuclear program, describing it as an "unacceptable danger" that could lead to a nuclear-armed Iran.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News that the threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons is non-negotiable, stating that President Trump will prevent Iran from obtaining such weapons and will not tolerate its buildup of drones and missiles to achieve nuclear ambitions.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States has asked China to take action to open the Strait of Hormuz and curb the actions of the Islamic Republic regime in the Persian Gulf, emphasizing the threat to regional stability and China's energy security. Rubio also stated that a resolution condemning the Islamic Republic's actions will be introduced at the United Nations later this week.
