European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on the United States and Iran to return to the negotiating table and end the ongoing conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking in Canberra, Australia, on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, von der Leyen described Iran’s attempts to close the strategic waterway as “deplorable” and urged an immediate halt to hostilities to prevent further global economic instability.

She emphasized that threats to commercial shipping, the laying of mines, drone and missile attacks, and any blockade attempts must stop at once. Von der Leyen warned that the situation is already affecting global gas and oil prices, stressing that dialogue remains the only viable path to resolving the Middle East conflict.

Her remarks come amid rising regional tensions, including reports of missile strikes in Israel, air raids in Beirut, and casualties in Iraq and Ukraine, underscoring the broader instability affecting global security and trade.