Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declared that the United Kingdom will "play our full part" in restoring shipping operations through the Strait of Hormuz, following an agreement between US President Donald Trump and Iran.
Speaking to reporters at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, where Mr Trump is also present, Sir Keir praised the US president for the "important breakthrough."
Mr Trump has indicated that the agreement would enable oil to flow freely once more through the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial shipping corridor leading from the Persian Gulf. The president suggested the strait could be fully reopened as early as Friday, when the agreement is formally signed in Switzerland.
French President Emmanuel Macron had indicated that France could deploy fighter jets to patrol the strait from Tuesday onwards and already had an aircraft carrier positioned in the area.
Sir Keir told reporters: "Let me first say how much we welcome the deal that President Trump has been able to get in this situation, congratulate him and the mediators on the work that they have done, because this is a really important breakthrough.
"At the G7 here we've been discussing the details of that deal and how we get the Strait of Hormuz open as quickly as possible.
"As you will know, President Macron and I put together a group of countries prepared to play their part in terms of reassurance to get vessels through the strait.
"That is hugely important in terms of reopening the strait, very, very important for us in the United Kingdom, because, of course, the strait being closed in the way that it has had an impact on our economy, had an impact on every household across the country, so we'll play our full part in relation to that."
Britain and France have spearheaded proposals for a protective operation to safeguard and reassure shipping in the channel following the cessation of hostilities, which includes deploying autonomous mine-hunting equipment.
Mr Trump stated on Monday he does not believe America would "need much help" in guaranteeing unimpeded maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz due to the peace agreement with Iran. Nevertheless, the US president acknowledged he did not consider it "a bad idea to have a ship or two" from other countries positioned in the crucial waterway.
While the agreement will terminate the conflict, remove the US blockade and reopen the vital strait, it defers Iran's contentious nuclear programme to subsequent talks. Iran's foreign minister has indicated that the accord to conclude the war with America also mandates Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon. Israel is not party to the agreement.
