GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – The 15-member Caribbean Community (Caricom) grouping Monday expressed “serious concern” at the continued hostilities in the Middle East, marked by military action in the Strait of Hormuz.

“Caricom is alarmed by the severe loss of life, threats to civil infrastructure, and the instability in global markets that have resulted from the ongoing conflict,” the grouping said in a statement.

United States (US) President Donald Trump has warned Iran the “clock is ticking” as talks to bring the war to an end have stalled. The United States and Israel on February 28 launched massive air attacks against Iran, which has responded to the latest US proposal by saying that exchanges with Washington were continuing through Pakistani mediators.