The UK will not participate in any blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, despite claims by US President Donald Trump that Nato allies would assist in such an operation. A government spokesperson confirmed that while the UK is willing to consider a role in mine-removal operations to ensure safe passage, this is distinct from Trump's blockade proposal.
Trump told Fox News on Sunday that 'numerous countries are going to be helping us' and that the UK and other nations were sending minesweepers. However, Whitehall sources expressed concerns that complying with Trump's demand to send ships could escalate the crisis. The UK has mine-hunting systems and anti-drone capabilities already in the region.
The government spokesperson stated: 'The Strait of Hormuz must not be subject to tolling. We are urgently working with France and other partners to put together a wide coalition to protect freedom of navigation.' Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously said talks were ongoing to create a 'credible, viable plan' for reopening the strait after Iran blocked traffic.
Trump's comments came hours after Health Secretary Wes Streeting criticised his rhetoric on Iran as 'incendiary, provocative and outrageous'. Trump also repeated a jibe comparing Starmer to Neville Chamberlain, saying Starmer's remark about sending equipment after the war was a 'Neville Chamberlain-type statement'. Starmer has not responded directly to the jibes.
Streeting acknowledged a 'difficult few months' for UK-US relations but stressed shared interests. He said: 'Over the course of the last week, President Trump has said some pretty bold – in Yes Minister language – incendiary, provocative, outrageous things on social media. I think we’ve all come to learn that you judge President Trump through what he does, not just what he says.'
Chancellor Rachel Reeves warned that the war in Iran would 'come at a cost to British families and businesses', adding that her economic approach would be 'responsive to a changing world and responsible in the national interest'.
