Britain will make a “wide-ranging military contribution” to an international mission to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the UK ambassador to the US has said. Sir Christian Turner’s commitment comes amid long-running concerns over the state of the nation’s armed forces and warnings of under-funding.
The multinational mission, led by the UK and France, aims to provide reassurance to vessels using the critical Gulf waterway once the Iran conflict is over. The initiative was announced at talks in Paris involving nearly 50 countries, which Sir Christian said signalled global resolve to prevent tolls or restrictions on the shipping route, used to move one fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies.
So far around 12 nations have committed to take part. The move has been derided by US President Donald Trump, who used it to criticise Nato as “useless”. In response, Sir Christian pointed out the mission was not being led by the military alliance.
He said the planned steps to safeguard future freedom of navigation would follow “seamlessly” from Iran’s announcement that it had reopened the strait to shipping as part of the cessation of hostilities. The US and Iran are in the middle of a fragile truce due to last until April 22, while Israel and Lebanon have begun a 10-day ceasefire.
Sir Christian said: “The UK itself will be making a wide-ranging military contribution, and that will be confirmed and announced at a military planning conference early next week.” He hailed it as “a significant development, a strong signal of intent”.
However, the longevity of the ceasefire was thrown into jeopardy when Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf posted on X that if the US blockade continued “the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open”.
