EU President Antonio Costa Urges Iranian Leadership to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Following Deadly School Strike

European Council President Antonio Costa urges Iranian President Pezeshkian to ensure maritime freedom and de-escalate following the Minab school tragedy.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 8:07 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Reuters and European Council Official Statements.

The Global Stakes of the Hormuz Blockade

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway responsible for the passage of roughly 20% of the world’s petroleum, has become the focal point of a global energy crisis. Following weeks of maritime tension and blockades, European Council President Antonio Costa utilized a direct line to Tehran to warn President Masoud Pezeshkian of the "unacceptable" nature of the current regional instability. For the European Union, the closure of the Strait represents a direct threat to energy security and economic stability, prompting Costa to demand that Iran ensure the "freedom of navigation" as mandated by international maritime law.

Condemning the Tragedy in Minab

The diplomatic push comes amidst reports of increasing civilian casualties. Costa specifically addressed the recent strike on a school in Minab, an Iranian city near the strategic strait. While the circumstances of the strike remain a point of intense regional debate, the EU President described the loss of innocent lives as "deeply regrettable." By bringing up the Minab incident, Costa aimed to emphasize the humanitarian cost of the conflict, urging both "de-escalation and restraint" to protect civilian infrastructure that has increasingly come under fire during Operation Roaring Lion.

A Demand for Regional De-escalation

Beyond maritime issues, the European Council President took a firm stance against Iran’s broader regional strategy. Costa characterized Iran’s actions over the past month as "unacceptable attacks" on neighboring states, likely referring to the missile salvos directed at Israel and the activities of various proxies. The message from Brussels was clear: Iran must decouple itself from the cycle of violence and return to a "diplomatic track" before the conflict triggers a wider, uncontrollable regional war.