The UK will host an international diplomatic conference this week on ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. He further stated that 35 countries have signed a statement committing to work together on restoring maritime security to the key oil transport route.
The meeting will “assess all viable diplomatic and political measures that we can take to restore freedom of navigation, guarantee the safety of trapped ships and seafarers and resume the movement of vital commodities”, Starmer said.
“Following that 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,” he added.
Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands are among those to have signed it.
The British PM said the impact of the war would “define us for a generation” and could be similar to the increase in energy prices in the 1970s.
Trump’s Criticism Of Allies
Starmer’s comments come after repeated criticism from US President Donald Trump and a day after the Republican leader told off countries that did not help America in strikes against Iran to “go get your own oil”.
“All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT”, Trump wrote.
Trump criticised European countries that refused to join the war against Iran, calling out Britain and France, as transatlantic relations deteriorate from the conflict that has driven up energy prices.
The president warned Britain and other countries to “start learning how to fight for yourself” because the US “won’t be there to help you anymore”.
After Starmer refused to join the US-Israeli war on Iran, his relationship with Trump publicly deteriorated.
Starmer initially denied a request from the US to attack Iran from two British bases but later agreed to allow what he calls defensive missions aimed at protecting residents of the region, including British citizens.
Asked about Trump’s criticism, Starmer said, “the US and UK are close allies and have been for a very, very long time” and he would act in the British national interest “whatever the pressure on me.”
Iran’s Chokehold On Hormuz Strait
Iran has threatened to hit ships that try to cross the Strait, choking one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies and triggering energy security concerns in Asian markets such as India and China.
The blockade of the Strait is driving inflation across the globe, and pressure is building on the US, which targeted Iran along with Israel on February 28.