India, March 19 -- As tensions in the Gulf intensify, leading European nations and Japan have pledged to join "appropriate efforts" to ensure safe passage through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, amid fears of a prolonged disruption to global energy supplies.

In a joint statement issued by the office of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan strongly condemned Iran's recent actions, including threats, mine-laying, and drone and missile attacks targeting commercial shipping routes.

"We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats. and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping," the leaders said, warning that such actions pose a serious threat to internation...