Starmer Declines to Join Trump's Hormuz Blockade as Oil Prices Set to Climb
As MPs return to Westminster from the Easter recess, a resolution to the Iran war remains elusive, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer firmly rejecting Donald Trump's call for a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This decision comes amid warnings that the move could exacerbate economic strain for Britons through higher petrol costs.
Economic Implications and Diplomatic Moves
The president's threat to halt tankers from entering or leaving the critical oil and gas shipping lane is anticipated to further drive up oil prices when markets reopen. Prices have already risen due to Iran's control of the strait in retaliation for the US-Israel war against it. Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who will attend International Monetary Fund meetings in Washington this week, has cautioned that "the war in Iran will come at a cost to British families and business."
Sir Keir is scheduled to discuss cost-of-living pressures with local residents during a visit to Greater Manchester on Monday, highlighting the domestic impact of the escalating crisis.
International Response and Coalition Efforts
Mr Trump announced the shipping blockade after US-Iranian peace talks in Pakistan concluded without an agreement, with both sides exchanging blame. In a post on his Truth Social platform, the American leader stated that the US military would begin "blockading any and all ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz," adding that other countries would be involved. However, Britain will not participate, according to sources.
A Government spokesperson confirmed that the UK is "urgently working with France and other partners to put together a wide coalition to protect freedom of navigation." In a call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Sir Keir agreed on the necessity of collaborating with a broad coalition of partners. The UK will host further talks this week with a coalition of countries aimed at reopening the maritime pinch-point.
Military and Diplomatic Strategies
The third such meeting convened by the UK is expected to explore ways to support a sustainable end to the conflict and increase international diplomatic pressure on Iran to reopen the strait, potentially through sanctions. Sir Keir's discussion with Mr Macron occurred before Mr Trump's social media announcement about the blockade.
Mr Trump told Fox News that "the UK and a couple of other countries are sending mine sweepers" to the strait, claiming "it won't take long to clean it out." The Prime Minister previously noted that UK mine hunting systems were already in the region, but this is understood to refer to minesweeping drones deployable once the situation stabilises, distinct from Mr Trump's blockade plan.
Contradictions and Accusations
US Central Command, responsible for American military operations in the Middle East, announced that its blockade of Iranian ports would commence on Monday. In a statement that seemed to contradict Mr Trump's threat, the military clarified that US forces "will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports."
The president attributed the failure of negotiations to Iran's refusal to reopen the channel and abandon its nuclear ambitions. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, accused Washington of "maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade," retorting that "Enmity begets enmity."
Broader Political Tensions
Mr Trump has also reignited his war-of-words with Pope Leo XIV, who previously criticised the president's rhetoric regarding the conflict. In an early Monday post on Truth Social, Mr Trump asserted: "Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy... I don't want a Pope who thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon."
With MPs back in Westminster and no immediate resolution to the Middle East crisis in sight, the fate of a fragile two-week ceasefire remains uncertain, underscoring the complex geopolitical and economic challenges ahead.
