British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has announced plans to host a virtual meeting of about 35 countries on Thursday to address the disruption of shipping activities in the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The meeting, to be coordinated by UK Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, will explore diplomatic and strategic options aimed at restoring safe passage through the critical waterway and easing the movement of global energy supplies.
Speaking at a news conference in Downing Street, Starmer said the talks would focus on practical steps to ensure the safety of vessels and seafarers stranded in the region, as well as measures to reopen the corridor to international trade.
He added that participating nations would also examine broader political solutions, with military planners expected to be engaged subsequently to assess how best to secure the route once hostilities subside.
Countries including Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands are expected to take part in the discussions, having earlier indicated readiness to support efforts to safeguard navigation in the strait.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, has been severely impacted since the escalation of hostilities following US-Israeli strikes in late February, leading to sharp increases in oil and gas prices worldwide.
Starmer cautioned that reopening the passage would be challenging, given the complexities of the conflict and the strategic importance of the route, through which a significant share of global energy supplies passes.
The UK leader also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, amid fresh criticism from former US President, Donald Trump, who reportedly questioned the alliance’s relevance.
Trump had suggested that NATO’s future could be at risk if member states fail to take responsibility for securing critical global routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, particularly in the face of rising geopolitical tensions.
