EU Commission President Ursula von der ​Leyen said on Monday that ‌restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of ​Hormuz was of “paramount” importance.

Her ​remarks came after US ⁠President Donald Trump said the ​United States would begin a ​blockade of maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal ​areas after a ​breakdown in talks.

“The ongoing closure of ‌the ⁠Strait of Hormuz is greatly damaging. The restoration of the freedom of navigation ​is ​of paramount ⁠importance for us,” she said. She ​added that there could ​be ⁠no stability in the Middle East while Lebanon ⁠was ​still being bombarded.