The UK has welcomed the extension of a ceasefire between the US and Iran after at least two ships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Britain wanted to see a “comprehensive settlement” and a “full reopening” of the key shipping passage without restrictions or tolls after Donald Trump announced he would prolong the truce.
The US president said the last-minute move followed a request from Pakistan, which has been mediating in the conflict, and was to allow for the regime in Tehran to come up with a “unified proposal” to end the war. In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump said the blockade of Iran’s ports would remain in force.
On Wednesday morning, tensions rose again after the UK Maritime Trade Operations centre reported an Iranian Revolutionary Guard gun boat had fired on a container ship in the strait around 15 miles north-east of the coast of Oman. The authority said the attack caused heavy damage to the bridge of the ship but all crew were reported safe. A second ship came under fire later, with suspicion immediately falling on Iran.
Ms Cooper said in a statement: “The UK welcomes the ceasefire extension. We want to see negotiations restart, a comprehensive settlement and full reopening of the strait without restrictions or tolls. Any return to hostilities would be a major setback for the region, the global economy and cost-of-living.”
Meanwhile, military planners from countries seeking to join a UK and France-led defensive mission to keep the waterway open once the Iran war ends will meet in London on Wednesday. Chancellor Rachel Reeves also met banking chiefs to discuss her plan for “strengthening the UK’s resilience” in the fallout from the conflict.
