London, United Kingdom. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain would not be drawn into a wider war in Iran but would work with allies on a “viable collective plan” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He said reopening the strait would not be a simple task.
Collective plan to restore navigation
Starmer told a press conference that reopening the strait was the only way to stabilise energy markets and said he was talking to allies in Europe, the Gulf and the United States on a plan to secure freedom of navigation. He said it would not be a NATO-led mission.
“Ultimately, we have to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to ensure stability in the (oil) market. That is not a simple task,” Starmer told reporters.
“So we’re working with all of our allies, including our European partners, to bring together a viable collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible and ease the economic impact.”
Trump criticism and calls for warships
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised Starmer for not initially supporting the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran and said at the weekend that Britain, China, France, Japan and South Korea should send warships to the region to reopen the waterway.
Energy market impact
About a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the strait, a narrow passage of water between Iran and Oman. Tehran’s effective shutting of the Strait has sent oil prices to more than $100 a barrel.
UK stance and assets in the region
Starmer said that while Britain was “taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into the wider war”.
Asked what Britain could contribute after it brought its last minehunter in the region back to Britain this month, he reiterated that it had autonomous mine-hunting systems in the area. He added Britain and its allies were looking at what assets they could collectively contribute and that they wanted as many nations working on it as possible.
Support package for vulnerable households
Starmer announced a 53-million-pound ($70.30 million) package for the most vulnerable British households who rely on heating oil after its cost spiked due to the conflict.
What do you think Britain should prioritise as it works with allies on a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz?