The United Kingdom this week will bring together representatives of 35 countries to devise a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has closed amid the U.S.-Israeli air campaign, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Wednesday.
British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper will host the discussions aimed at assessing diplomatic and political measures that could help restore freedom of navigation through one of the world’s most vital energy arteries.
“Following this meeting, we will also convene our military planners to look at how we can marshal our capabilities and make the strait accessible and safe after the fighting has stopped,” Mr. Starmer told reporters during a Downing Street press conference.
He said he spoke Monday with British business leaders in the shipping, finance and energy sectors about the need to reopen the strait, through which about 20% of the world’s oil supply flows.
“They were clear with me [that] the primary challenge they face is not one of insurance, but one of safety and security of passage,” Mr. Starmer said. “So, the face is we need all of this together: a united front of military strength and diplomatic activity, partnership with industry, so they too can mobilize once the fighting has stopped, and above all, clear and calm leadership.”
More than 95% of commercial tanker traffic has been diverted to avoid the Strait of Hormuz due to the risks of Iranian strikes since the outbreak of hostilities and the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
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The refusal of most NATO members to back the war against Iran has frustrated President Trump, who said he is contemplating withdrawing the U.S. from the alliance. While the U.K. maintains it is not a party to the conflict, its government is allowing U.S. heavy bombers to stage from British military airfields.
Mr. Starmer told reporters that Britain’s long-term national interest also requires a closer partnership with allies in Europe and with the European Union.
“In the coming weeks, we will announce a new summit with our EU partners. We want to be more ambitious [with] closer economic cooperation [and] closer security cooperation,” he said. “A partnership that recognizes our shared values, our shared interests, and our shared future. A partnership for the dangerous world that we must navigate further.”
