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France, Germany, UK condemn Iran attacks as renewed fighting with US puts peace deal at risk

By RFI
International Ships and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman, 18 April 2026. -  Retuers
MON, 13 JUL 2026
Ships and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman, 18 April 2026. - © Retuers

"We condemn Iran' heinous attacks on merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and on countries in the region, including Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan," the three countries, known as the E-3, said in a joint statement.

The statement was referring to Iran's attack Sunday on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which caught fire and its crew were forced to abandon ship.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said afterwards that the Strait, a key global shipping route that has been largely restricted since the start of the Middle East conflict, would be closed “until further notice and until the end of American interventions in this region".

The maritime passages with a chokehold on the global economy

On Monday Iran said it had targeted US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait, destroyed radar systems in Oman and hit fuel tanks and ammunition depots at Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan, in response to US strikes.

Iran's official news agency, IRNA, reported that the US had attacked military sites in southern Iran.

The US military said it had struck Iranian air defence systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone capabilities, and small boats on Sunday, using aircraft, naval vessels and drones.

The E-3 called “the resumption of the ceasefire” negotiated in early April and negotiations aimed at ending the conflict to resume.

The future of the interim agreement between Iran and the US now appears uncertain.

US President Donald Trump said Monday he considers the ceasefire to be over, while leaving the door open to further talks.

"We had a deal. It was a done deal, and then they broke it. They always break it,”

he said in a telephone interview on Fox News' 'Fox & Friends' programme. “So we're just going to hit them very hard.”

Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, struck a similar tone.

"The era of one-sided deals is OVER,” he posted on social media on Sunday. “We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking."

Trump also said the US would take control of Strait of Hormuz, and that it should be “reimbursed for that”.

Iran's military responded Monday saying it would not allow the US to "interfere" in the management of the Strait

In a video message, a spokesperson of Khatam Al-Anbiya military command warned Gulf countries that any cooperation with the US would be considered "an act of war".

(with newswires)

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