King returns to Jordan after addressing European Parliament
His Majesty King Abdullah II returned to Jordan on Tuesday following a working visit to Strasbourg, France, where he delivered a keynote address before the European Parliament.
In the address, His Majesty noted that with 'Israel' expanding its offensive to include Iran, it is now impossible to know where the boundaries of this battle will end, threatening people everywhere.
The King said that what is happening in Gaza is contrary to international law, moral standards and shared values, especially as violations continue in the West Bank, and the situation is worsening by the day.
His Majesty noted that Palestinians deserve the rights to freedom and sovereignty, and to establish their own independent state.
The King said the world is experiencing wave after wave of turmoil, becoming 'untethered—like it has lost its moral gravity', noting that these junctures of history are critical moments that require the world to cling to its values and not abandon them.
His Majesty added that true security lies not in the power of armies, but in the power of shared values, and peace imposed by force or fear will never last.
The King touched on the founding of the European Union, when Europe's choices helped shape a more stable, principled world, highlighting that Jordan's firm belief in the shared values of the three monotheistic religions is rooted in its history and heritage, which drives the Kingdom's national principles of tolerance and mutual respect.
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King returns to Jordan after addressing European Parliament
His Majesty King Abdullah II returned to Jordan on Tuesday following a working visit to Strasbourg, France, where he delivered a keynote address before the European Parliament. In the address, His Majesty noted that with 'Israel' expanding its offensive to include Iran, it is now impossible to know where the boundaries of this battle will end, threatening people everywhere. The King said that what is happening in Gaza is contrary to international law, moral standards and shared values, especially as violations continue in the West Bank, and the situation is worsening by the day. His Majesty noted that Palestinians deserve the rights to freedom and sovereignty, and to establish their own independent state. The King said the world is experiencing wave after wave of turmoil, becoming 'untethered—like it has lost its moral gravity', noting that these junctures of history are critical moments that require the world to cling to its values and not abandon them. His Majesty added that true security lies not in the power of armies, but in the power of shared values, and peace imposed by force or fear will never last. The King touched on the founding of the European Union, when Europe's choices helped shape a more stable, principled world, highlighting that Jordan's firm belief in the shared values of the three monotheistic religions is rooted in its history and heritage, which drives the Kingdom's national principles of tolerance and mutual respect.
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Rising maritime risks in Strait of Hormuz threaten global energy supply
The threat level in and around the Strait of Hormuz has been raised to 'high' amid escalating hostilities between Iran and 'Israel', according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). This strategic waterway, vital for global energy shipments, is now under increased risk of disruption as tensions mount in the region. In a statement released on June 17, 2025, UKMTO warned of a 'significant threat' in the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and northern Arabian Sea due to ongoing attacks involving Iran and 'Israel'. The agency also highlighted a surge in electronic interference affecting ships' navigation and automatic tracking systems, complicating safe maritime passage. Despite these risks, UKMTO confirmed that commercial shipping through the Strait remains operational, with no verified reports of closure. However, all vessels are urged to exercise caution and promptly report any incidents of electronic jamming or navigational disruption. Crucial global energy chokepoint The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints, serving as a narrow gateway between Iran and Oman. Approximately 20 million barrels of crude oil transit this passage daily, accounting for nearly 20 percent of global oil shipments, alongside about 20 percent of the world's liquefied natural gas (LNG). Its strategic significance makes the Strait a focal point during geopolitical crises, especially amid rising tensions between Iran and countries aligned with the West. Recent 'Israeli' airstrikes against Iranian targets have heightened fears that Tehran might retaliate by targeting this critical waterway — a threat Iran has raised multiple times before. Iran's Previous Threats and Strategic Calculations Iranian parliament member Esmail Kowsari recently told local media that 'closing the Strait of Hormuz is under study,' signaling Tehran's readiness to make 'the best decision with firmness.' While no direct action has been taken yet, this announcement has raised alarm in global energy markets and shipping industries. Historically, Iran has threatened to close the Strait during periods of heightened tension, notably in 2011, 2012, and 2018, but has never followed through. Experts argue such a move would backfire on Iran, severely disrupting its own imports and essential supplies, as well as hurting its allies. Changing Dynamics in Global Energy Trade Over the past two decades, Gulf oil exports to the United States and European Union have dropped dramatically, while China has emerged as the dominant importer. Between 2001 and 2022, China's imports of Gulf oil soared by more than 800 percent, making it the largest buyer of Iranian crude. This shift gives China a critical stake in the Strait's security. Analysts believe Beijing would strongly oppose any disruption that could spike oil prices or threaten supply. Energy analyst Ellen Wald noted, 'If Iran closes the Strait, it would anger China—its key energy partner. Beijing would likely exert heavy political and economic pressure on Tehran to keep the waterway open.' Rising electronic warfare threats Beyond the physical threat of a blockade, maritime authorities have reported increased electronic jamming and interference in the Gulf. Ships navigating the region have experienced GPS and Automated Identification System (AIS) disruptions, complicating safe passage. The U.S.-led Combined Maritime Forces' Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) reported escalating electronic interference near the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas and across the Strait of Hormuz. This interference undermines ships' ability to transmit accurate location data, posing significant navigational challenges. Outlook: Fragile passage in an unstable region While a total closure of the Strait of Hormuz remains unlikely due to practical and strategic reasons, the heightened threat level underscores the vulnerability of this critical maritime corridor. Just 21 miles wide at its narrowest point, the Strait holds enormous influence over global energy security. As Iran and 'Israel' continue their cycle of attacks and threats, global shipping companies, oil markets, and governments remain on high alert for any further escalations that could disrupt one of the world's busiest and most vital energy routes.
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King Abdullah II arrives at European Parliament to deliver key address
1 hour ago FULL SPEECH: King delivers address at European Parliament 2 hours ago Following is the full text of the King's speech: 'In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful Madam President, Honourable Members, Your Excellencies, Thank you, all. And it is an honour, as always, to be here to address the European Parliament. My friends: Five years ago, I stood at this podium and spoke of the urgent need to find political solutions to conflicts, to restore confidence in global justice, and help people, especially young people, find hope and opportunity. Since then, multiple political, technological, and economic upheavals have tested our international community. A global pandemic, new security threats, unprecedented technological acceleration, rampant, hyper-charged misinformation, and a raging war in Ukraine, and a cruel one on Gaza, and now, the attacks on Iran, which threaten a dangerous escalation of tensions, in my region and beyond. We are living through wave after wave of disruption, without pause. It is no wonder our world feels untethered—like it has lost its moral gravity. Rules are unravelling; truth shifts by the hour, hatred and division thrive, and moderation and universal values are losing ground to ideological extremes. In the chaos, we risk forgetting who we are, and what we stand for. But it is precisely at these junctures of history that we must recommit to our values. Because when the world loses its moral bearings, we lose our shared sense of right and wrong—of what is just, and what is cruel. And when that happens, conflict is never far behind. History teaches us that wars are rarely just about territory. They are battles over worldviews—over which ideas and ideals will shape our future. And Europe understands that. After World War II, it made a choice: to rebuild not just its cities, but its founding pillars. The people of Europe were determined to leave the past in the past, and build a new era of peace. They chose human dignity over domination, values over vengeance, law over might, cooperation over conflict. In the wake of war, Europe realised that real security does not lie in the strength of armies, but in the strength of shared values, and that peace imposed by force or fear would never last. Equally, you chose to recognise that what you had in common was far greater than what set you apart. Today, so must our global community. We know that disputes and differences are a human reality, that the challenges we face will only get more complex, and that disruptions are the hallmark of our age. But it's how we handle them, and the values we anchor ourselves to that count. Throughout Arab and European history, respect, responsibility, goodwill, and good faith have guided collaborations that led to our mutual good. And they can guide our response to today's challenges as well. Speaking from this podium, and many others in the last two decades, I have sought to shed light on the values we share—many rooted in our different faiths, Islam, Christianity, Judaism. The values of compassion, justice, and equality. The moral teachings passed to us over generations that call on us to love our neighbours, to protect children and the innocent, to aid the poor and injured, to care for God's earth, and more. In Jordan, our firm belief in these common values, grounded in our history and heritage, drives our national principles of tolerance and mutual respect. And we are proud to be home to the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ, peace be upon him, at Bethany Beyond the Jordan. Our Muslim country is home to a historic Christian community, and all our citizens share in building our nation. The same call to goodwill lies behind the Hashemite Custodianship of Muslim and Christian Holy Sites in Jerusalem, whose historical and multi-religious identity we have vowed to protect from attack. Indeed, our commitment echoes a promise to the people of Jerusalem made many centuries ago—the Pact of Omar ordered Muslims to respect and protect the city's churches and not to harm a priest, nor kill a child, woman, or elder. And a thousand years later, the Geneva Conventions made these tenets universal. Recent events have called them into question. But we must ensure that these values and principles stand the test of time and turmoil. My friends, When I was last in this hall, I shared my conviction that: 'There is always a better version of us around every corner.' Eighty years ago, you turned that corner, you chose a better Europe, and, for the longest time, the choices you made helped shape a more stable, principled world. Today, that world is in moral decline. A shameful version of our humanity is unfolding before our eyes in real time, and our global values are unravelling at a shocking pace, with devastating consequences. Nowhere is that clearer than in Gaza, a place where the world has stood at countless corners, each an opportunity to become something better, and time after time, it failed to do so. Think back to 2023—the first Israeli attacks and raids on a hospital in Gaza sparked global shock and outrage. Since then, the World Health Organisation has documented nearly 700 attacks on Gaza's healthcare facilities. How is it that what was considered an atrocity just 20 months ago, is now so commonplace it barely registers? What version of our humanity allows the unthinkable to become routine? Permits weaponising famine against children? Normalises the targeting of health workers, journalists, and civilians seeking refuge in camps? Twenty months. That should alarm us all. But not surprise us. Because when our global community fails to bridge the gap between principle and action, when values are not practiced, they become performative, abstract, and expendable. We are at another defining crossroad in our history, one that demands a choice—power or principle, the rule of law or the rule of force, decline or renewal. Because that is what's at stake, for everyone. This is not just about Gaza. And it is not just another political moment. It is a struggle over who we are as a global community, and who we will become. This year is likely to be a time of pivotal decisions for our entire world. Europe's leadership will be vital in choosing the right course. And you can count on Jordan as your staunch partner. There are two essential areas for action. First, is supporting development, because a thriving Middle East creates opportunities that benefit us all. But as we have seen time and again, that reality cuts both ways. When hope is diminished, the consequences ripple across borders. Second, is strong, coordinated action to ensure global security. Our mutual security won't be assured until our global community acts, not only to end the three-year war in Ukraine, but also the world's longest and most destructive flashpoint, the eight-decade-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Because, my friends, Palestinians, like all people, deserve the rights to freedom, sovereignty, and, yes, statehood. What is happening in Gaza today defies international law, moral standards, and our common values. And we are witnessing transgression after transgression in the West Bank, with the situation worsening by the day. If our global community fails to act decisively, we become complicit in rewriting what it means to be human. Because if Israeli bulldozers continue to illegally demolish Palestinian homes, olive groves, and infrastructure, so too will they flatten the guardrails that define moral conduct. And now with Israel's expansion of its offensive to include Iran, there is no telling where the boundaries of this battleground will end. That, my friends, is a threat to people everywhere. Ultimately, this conflict must end. And the only viable solution is one grounded in a just peace, international law, and mutual recognition. My friends, The path to our better selves cannot be paved by technological advancements, scientific breakthroughs, or political triumphs alone. It is forged by the choices we make, each day, as individuals and as leaders. The path to peace has been walked before. It can be again, if we have the courage to choose it, and the will to walk it together. Thank you.' 3 hours ago "When values are not practiced, they become performative, abstract, and expendable": King Abdullah II His Majesty King Abdullah II recalled the global shock following the first Israeli attacks on a hospital in Gaza in 2023, stating, 'Think back to 2023—the first Israeli attacks and raids on a hospital in Gaza sparked global shock and outrage.' He highlighted the scale of the ongoing crisis, noting that 'the World Health Organisation has documented nearly 700 attacks on Gaza's healthcare facilities' since then. The King expressed deep concern over the normalization of such violence: 'How is it that what was considered an atrocity just 20 months ago is now so commonplace it barely registers?' He warned that 'when our global community fails to bridge the gap between principle and action, when values are not practiced, they become performative, abstract, and expendable,' urging the world to take meaningful steps to uphold human dignity and protect civilians. 3 hours ago Israel's offensive expansion to Iran threatens global stability: King Abdullah II His Majesty warned that the ongoing crisis in Gaza violates international law and human decency, while also condemning daily transgressions in the West Bank. He cautioned that Israel's expansion of its offensive to include Iran risks spiraling into a wider conflict, calling it 'a threat to people everywhere.' "Now with Israel's expansion of its offensive to include Iran, there is no telling where the borders of this battleground will end. That, my friends, is a threat to people everywhere," he said. 3 hours ago King Abdullah: Jordan's values rooted in faith, tolerance, and respect Speaking at the European Parliament, His Majesty King Abdullah II highlighted Jordan's unwavering commitment to shared human values, emphasizing tolerance and mutual respect. " In Jordan, our firm belief in these common values, grounded in our history and heritage, drives our national principles of tolerance and mutual respect," he said. He also reaffirmed the Hashemite Custodianship over Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, vowing to protect the city's multi-religious identity from any threats. 3 hours ago King Abdullah: Wars are battles over worldviews, not just territory His Majesty King Abdullah II told the European Parliament that wars are rarely fought over land alone, but over competing ideas and ideals. He added that post-war Europe learned true security comes from shared values, not military might, and that peace enforced by fear can never endure.
