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Restoring traffic in Strait of Hormuz is of 'paramount' importance, von der Leyen says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on April 13, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: April 14, 2026

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Restoring traffic in Strait of Hormuz is of 'paramount' importance, von der Leyen says
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BRUSSELS, April 13 (Reuters) - EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday that restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz was of "paramount" importance. Her remarks

Restoring Strait of Hormuz Navigation Is Crucial, Says EU's von der Leyen

EU Emphasizes Importance of Strait of Hormuz for Global Stability

BRUSSELS, April 13 (Reuters) - EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday that restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz was of "paramount" importance.

Background on Strait of Hormuz Closure

Her remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump said T5N3YF019 the United States would begin a blockade of maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas after a breakdown in talks.

Von der Leyen's Statement on Navigation

"The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is greatly damaging. The restoration of the freedom of navigation is of paramount importance for us," she said. She added that there could be no stability in the Middle East while Lebanon was still being bombarded.

Reporting and Editorial Credits

(Reporting by Bart Meijer; Writing by Makini Brice; Editing by Alex Richardson)

Key Takeaways

  • Von der Leyen called reopening the Strait crucial for global energy stability, as its disruption has severely impacted oil and gas flows and driven prices higher (apnews.com).
  • The U.S. declared it would begin a blockade of maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports on April 13, intensifying the crisis and prompting EU calls for collective action and diplomatic resolution (kltv.com).
  • European leaders, including Macron and Kallas, are coordinating proposals for multinational, defensive missions to secure the strait without direct military engagement, aiming to uphold international maritime law and regional stability (apnews.com).

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is restoring navigation in the Strait of Hormuz important?
Restoring navigation is vital due to its critical role in global trade and finance, as closure impacts energy supply and financial markets.
What action did the United States announce regarding the Strait of Hormuz?
The U.S. announced a blockade of maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas following a breakdown in talks.
What did EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen say about the situation?
Von der Leyen stressed that restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is of paramount importance.
How does the closure affect the Middle East region?
The closure causes instability in the region and disrupts maritime trade, which can escalate financial and security concerns.

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