Yvette Cooper Calls for Lebanon's Inclusion in US-Iran Ceasefire Agreement
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to demand that Lebanon be included in the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, as tensions in the Middle East escalate and a two-week pause in hostilities remains precarious. In a speech to City leaders at the Mansion House in London, Cooper will emphasise that there "must be no return to conflict" following the ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump earlier this week.
Condemnation of Israeli Strikes and Diplomatic Efforts
Prior to her address, Cooper told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that continued Israeli strikes on Lebanon are "completely wrong." She stated, "We want to see an end to hostilities in Lebanon. What Israel was doing yesterday with this escalation of strikes was completely wrong ... this escalation is damaging, it's wrong, it's going the wrong direction. We want the ceasefire extended to cover Lebanon." The UK has raised its position on Lebanon with both the US and Israel directly.
However, hopes for an immediate halt to Israeli attacks were dashed when US Vice-President JD Vance clarified that Lebanon is not part of the ceasefire deal with Iran. Speaking in Budapest, Vance explained, "I think this comes from a legitimate misunderstanding. I think the Iranians thought that the ceasefire included Lebanon, and it just didn't. We never made that promise, we never indicated that was going to be the case." Despite this, Cooper will reiterate in her speech that Lebanon must be included in the ceasefire terms.
Impact of the Strait of Hormuz Closure on Global Economy
Cooper will highlight the severe economic repercussions of Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route, in response to US and Israeli attacks that began in late February. She will note, "More than 3,000 miles away from here – yet the deliberate blocking of this critical artery of the global economy is affecting mortgage rates, petrol and food prices, here at home. Every country on every continent has felt the effects." Since the closure, global fuel and fertiliser prices have surged, straining household budgets worldwide.
In her address, Cooper will stress the importance of reopening the strait, stating, "Fertiliser for Africa, liquid natural gas for Asia, jet fuel for the world; the trading route for Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Oman, all hijacked by Iran so they can hold the global economy hostage. No country can close these routes – it goes against the fundamental principles of the law of the sea." She will advocate for immediate action to support the International Maritime Organization's proposals to free trapped ships and stranded seafarers, calling for the strait's full reopening as a central part of any long-term regional solution.
UK Prime Minister's Diplomatic Tour in the Gulf
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has arrived in the United Arab Emirates as part of a diplomatic tour of Gulf countries. His visit aims to discuss upholding the ceasefire and restoring confidence to resume shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Starmer has already met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Jeddah and is scheduled to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to reinforce international efforts for stability in the region.
