NEW: NATO Countries Begin To Cave, Express ‘Readiness’ To Assist In Strait Of Hormuz Defense

Western powers are closing ranks after Iran’s latest strikes in the Gulf, warning Tehran to back off as global energy markets wobble and one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes teeters on the brink.

Leaders from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan said they are prepared to step in to help secure commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz following a string of attacks blamed on Iran.

“We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning,” the leaders said in a joint statement.

The group blasted Tehran’s actions, warning that the situation is spiraling.

“We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces.”

They demanded Iran stand down, calling on the regime to “cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping, and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817.”

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The leaders also warned that the fallout won’t stay confined to the Middle East.

“The effects of Iran’s actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable,” the statement said, adding that “freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, including under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.”

They cautioned that interference with global shipping “constitute[s] a threat to international peace and security” and pushed for “an immediate comprehensive moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.”

With energy markets already rattled, the countries backed emergency moves to keep supply flowing. The statement welcomed the International Energy Agency’s release of strategic petroleum reserves and signaled more could be coming.

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“We will take other steps to stabilise energy markets, including working with certain producing nations to increase output.”

The escalation follows a joint U.S.-Israel offensive launched Feb. 28 targeting Iran, a campaign that has reportedly killed more than 1,200 people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has responded with waves of drone and missile strikes across the region and has effectively shut down much of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that typically carries about 20 million barrels of oil per day and roughly a fifth of global liquefied natural gas trade.

Markets reacted fast.

Brent crude surged Thursday, climbing to $113.55 per barrel as of 10:02 a.m. local time, a 5.74% jump from the previous close of $107.38, as traders braced for further disruption.

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