Eight ministers urge restraint as US and Iran face risk of renewed strikes
Foreign ministers from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt met in Istanbul and called for diplomacy over further military action against Iran. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said a new attack would widen the conflict, while France’s Jean-Noël Barrot warned of consequences for hydrocarbon prices; the ministers also called for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Bottom line — The eight countries said they would meet regularly, with Hormuz, Yemen and the risk of wider conflict on the agenda.
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Italy’s Antonio Tajani said the crisis could not be resolved by military means alone and linked dialogue to restoring navigation through Hormuz.
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The ministers also discussed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the Russia-Ukraine war, according to Al Jazeera.
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The meeting followed separate talks among Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt; the three countries that signed a defence pact in August were joined by Egypt, which has not decided whether to join, Al Monitor reports.
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The Guardian reports that Germany’s Johann Wadephul criticised Iran and the Houthis for disrupting trade and energy supplies.