The United Kingdom will convene 35 countries on Thursday to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route blocked by Iran, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced. The United States has not been directly invited to the talks, which will explore diplomatic and political measures to restore freedom of navigation.
Starmer stated that the meeting will bring together nations that signed a joint statement last month, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, and Nigeria. The goal is to assess viable options to guarantee the safety of trapped ships and seafarers and resume the movement of vital commodities.
About 1,000 ships are stranded due to Iran's partial blockade, which began in response to strikes by the US and Israel. Before the conflict, tankers carried roughly a fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies through the strait. Only about 130 ships have passed since the war started, compared to the normal daily traffic of that number.
Starmer acknowledged the challenge, saying the clear-up will last long after hostilities cease. British military planners will meet afterwards to discuss how to make the strait accessible and safe. The Ministry of Defence has already sent planners to US Central Command to explore options for getting tankers through.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps stated that the strait remains closed to enemies and under its navy's control. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump posted that there will be no ceasefire until Iran relinquishes control of the waterway, threatening further military action.
