UK leads push to finish Strait of Hormuz blockade after Donald Trump threats
Some 35 countries will join a meeting convened by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on securing the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran’s blockade sends global oil prices rocketing
Keir Starmer has admitted it ‘will not be easy’ to secure the Strait of Hormuz(Image: PA)
The UK and allies will hold crunch talks on reopening a vital shipping route to prevent Iran from holding the world’s economy to ransom.
Some 35 countries will join a call led by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on Thursday to discuss securing the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blockaded by Tehran, sending global oil prices rocketing. Keir Starmer hinted that efforts could be backed by military force, as he admitted it “will not be easy” to secure the waterway, which transports 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas.
Speaking at Downing Street press conference on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said: “We will assess all viable diplomatic and political measures we can take to restore freedom of navigation, guarantee the safety of trapped ships and seafarers and to resume the movement of vital commodities.
READ MORE: Rachel Reeves lashes out at Donald Trump for Middle East war – ‘I’m angry’READ MORE: 6 things we learned from Keir Starmer’s address to nation on Iran war
“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. Because I do have to level with people on this, this will not be easy.”
Donald Trump has indicated he would not play any role in sorting out the crisis he created, saying allies like the UK would have to “build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT”.
On Wednesday, the US President also renewed his threats to quit Nato, telling The Telegraph: “Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration. I was never swayed by Nato. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way.”
But Mr Starmer said the UK was fully committed to Nato, saying: “[It’s] the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen.” In a swipe at Mr Trump, he added: “Whatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise, I am going to act in the British national interest in all the decisions I make.”
The Iran war shows the UK must move closer to the EU, the PM said, as the UK’s refusal to join Mr Trump’s war put the relationship with Washington under strain. “It is increasingly clear that as the world continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union,” he said.
“As the Chancellor [Rachel Reeves] has rightly pointed out, Brexit did deep damage to our economy, and the opportunities to strengthen our security and cut the cost of living are simply too big to ignore.”
He insisted Labour’s manifesto pledge not to rejoin the single market or customs union still stands. But he underlined his pledge to seek closer ties on security and the economy.
The Iran war will have a profound impact on the UK for decades but the country is “well placed” to weather the storm, he said. He said: “While we are working at pace for de-escalation and peace, it is now clear that the impact of this war will affect the future of our country.
“So today, I want to reassure the British people that no matter how fierce this storm. We are well-placed to weather it and that we have a long-term plan to emerge from it a stronger and more secure nation.”
He added: “We will make Britain a fairer and more secure country because that hope is what is needed as the country comes together and because how we emerge from this crisis will define us for a generation.”
Meanwhile, Rachel Reeves said she was “angry” at the US President over the conflict as she made clear it will have an impact on the UK economy. She told the BBC: “I’m angry that Donald Trump has chosen to go to war in the Middle East – a war that there’s not a clear plan of how to get out of it.
“It’s why we didn’t want to enter this. Yes it will have implications for our economy, I get that. We are monitoring very closely what’s happening – trying to bring the oil and gas into the UK so that those supplies are there and get the prices down. We are monitoring the situation very carefully.”
“We are preparing – as you would expect me to be – for every single eventuality to make sure there alongside people, standing beside them, keeping costs down for everyone.”
