Von der Leyen urges US and Iran to resolve Hormuz crisis, warning distance offers no protection to Australia

Speaking after signing trade agreement in Canberra, the European Commission president warns ‘situation is critical’ for global energy supply

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The US and Iran must come to the negotiating table to immediately end the de facto closure of the strait of Hormuz and stop hostilities in the Middle East, the head of the European Commission says.

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said Iran’s efforts to block the strategic waterway via attacks on unarmed commercial vessels and critical infrastructure “must be condemned”.