Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski on 31 October 2026 demanded the restoration of free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, saying that soaring energy costs had compelled Poland to enact special legislation shielding consumers and motorists from excessive petrol and diesel prices. Sikorski made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Atlanta, framing the strait as international waters in which unimpeded passage must be guaranteed.

Why Poland Has a Direct Stake in Hormuz

Sikorski said Saudi Arabia supplied the largest share of Poland's crude oil, with those shipments routed northward through the Suez Canal. He added that Qatar accounted for 9 per cent of Poland's liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports — a figure he cited as evidence of Warsaw's direct interest in securing the waterway. 'And of course, we are an energy consumer and importer,' he said, adding that Poland wanted oil prices to 'come back to previous levels as soon as possible.'

The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and Oman, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. In 2024, crude oil flows through the strait averaged approximately 20 million barrels a day, while roughly one-fifth of global LNG trade — chiefly from Qatar — also passed through it. India was among the leading Asian importers of both crude and LNG shipped via the strait.

Allegations Against Russia and Tehran's Response

Sikorski went further, alleging that Russia was supplying Iran with targeting data and technology for hypersonic missiles 'which would have the capacity to hit American warships.' He questioned why such alleged transfers were 'not a bigger issue', though he did not provide details of the specific systems or name the platforms involved. When asked whether Polish officials had raised Hormuz and Iran's support for Russia directly with Iranian counterparts, Sikorski confirmed: 'Of course we did.' On Tehran's reaction, he said simply, 'they have their view.'

This comes amid broader Western concerns about deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Sikorski's public airing of these allegations at a multilateral forum signals Warsaw's intent to internationalise the issue.

Russia's Energy Revenue Loss and the War in Ukraine

Sikorski linked Europe's energy pivot directly to the conflict in Ukraine. He noted that most European countries had sharply reduced purchases of Russian energy and described the loss of that market as one of the costs Moscow bore for the war. Russia was now selling energy elsewhere at a 'steep discount', he said. Poland, he added, had no interest in becoming dependent on supplies from a country that 'invaded its neighbours.' Any Russian return to its former European energy markets, Sikorski argued, would require a fair resolution to the war.

Black Sea Ceasefire and Global Food Security

Beyond energy, the Polish minister called for a Black Sea ceasefire to unblock food exports destined for countries such as Egypt. He pointed to Turkish and Indian diplomatic initiatives on this front and urged quicker action to meet the food security needs of nations in the Global South. On the broader G20 agenda, Sikorski acknowledged sharp differences among the member states but insisted that dialogue must continue. 'There are countries here represented that don't necessarily see eye to eye, but we need to keep the conversation going,' he said.

Poland's consumer protection law — passed in response to elevated fuel prices — underscores the domestic political pressure Sikorski faces as Warsaw juggles NATO commitments, energy security, and its exposed position on Europe's eastern flank. How quickly global energy markets can stabilise will depend, in large part, on whether diplomatic channels over Iran and the Hormuz question yield any movement.