EU's Costa urges Iranian President to ensure freedom of navigation in Hormuz Strait

BRUSSELS, March 31 (Reuters) - The European Council President Antonio Costa said on Tuesday he had spoken on the telephone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and urged him to engage on the diplomatic track and ensure the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Costa also said he had told Pezeshkian that Iran must stop what Costa described as "unacceptable attacks" on countries in the region.

"I urged for de-escalation and restraint, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and the need for all parties to fully respect international law. The loss of innocent lives, including in the Minab school, is deeply regrettable," Costa said in a post on X.