German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called on Iran to end its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as oil prices surge and the world economic outlook dims, Al Jazeera reports.

Posting on X, Wadephul says the UN Security Council “must play a role” after it held a high-level debate on the escalating crisis in the critical waterway, which has caused thousands of cargo vessels and about 20,000 seafarers to be stranded.

The Council should “assume responsibility and pass a resolution”, he says, adding that Germany wants to “take on responsibility” and is running for a seat on the body.