The United Kingdom is set to convene a virtual meeting of 35 countries to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz, as ongoing conflict involving Iran continues to disrupt global energy supplies.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will host the talks on Thursday, aimed at restoring safe passage through the critical shipping route once hostilities subside.
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.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes, has effectively been shut amid attacks linked to the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.
The disruption has driven global energy prices higher, prompting several countries to consider releasing strategic oil and gas reserves to ease supply pressures.
Countries expected to participate in the talks include France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Netherlands, among others that have pledged support for ensuring safe passage through the strait.
“I do have to level with people on this. This [reopening] will not be easy,” Starmer said.
The UK and several European allies have also faced criticism from Donald Trump, who accused them of failing to act decisively to reopen the waterway and provide sufficient backing to Washington.
Trump wrote that “all those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom” should either buy from the US or “build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT”.
“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!” he said.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
