Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the UK has a responsibility to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, following reports that the key shipping route was closed again shortly after a ceasefire between the US and Iran was announced. Speaking from an airbase in Taif, Saudi Arabia, Starmer emphasised the need for a permanent resolution to ensure energy price stability for the UK.
Starmer met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on Wednesday evening, where he welcomed the ceasefire and discussed practical steps to reopen the strait. A Downing Street statement confirmed that Starmer stressed the importance of upholding the ceasefire and turning it into lasting peace, while also committing to continue UK efforts to convene partners for planning the safe transit of shipping.
However, Iran's Fars news agency reported that oil tankers were again blocked from passing through the strait, citing a ceasefire breach by Israel amid intensified attacks on Lebanon. The ceasefire had been agreed just over an hour before a US-imposed deadline, with the reopening of the strait as a key term.
Starmer's visit to the Gulf is seen as part of broader UK efforts to build on a gathering of military planners earlier this week, focusing on practicalities such as dealing with Iranian mines and ensuring insurance for tankers. A UK official noted that reopening the strait involves complex logistics and cannot happen instantly.
The prime minister reiterated that the UK is not being drawn into the conflict, acting only in collective self-defence to protect British lives and interests. He highlighted the daily impact of the closure on UK energy prices over the past 39 days, underscoring the urgency of restoring full shipping traffic through the strait.
