UK seeks allied plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz while avoiding wider Iran war

Keir Starmer said on Monday that the United Kingdom would not become involved in a broader conflict with Iran, but would work with international partners to develop a “viable collective plan” aimed at reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. He acknowledged, however, that restoring normal navigation in the waterway would be a difficult process.

The British prime minister’s remarks come after criticism from Donald Trump, the president of the United States, who had earlier criticised Starmer for not immediately backing U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. Trump also suggested over the weekend that several major powers, including the United Kingdom, China, France, Japan and South Korea, should send naval vessels to help reopen the key shipping route.

Speaking at a press conference, Starmer stressed that restoring traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was essential to stabilise global energy markets. He said Britain was in discussions with partners in Europe, Gulf countries and the United States to develop a coordinated approach to guarantee freedom of navigation in the region. He also clarified that the initiative would not be led by NATO.

At the same time, the British government announced financial assistance to help households affected by rising fuel costs linked to the conflict. The package, worth £53 million (about $70 million), will support vulnerable families who depend on heating oil, the price of which has surged amid the tensions.

“Ultimately, we have to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to ensure stability in the (oil) market. That is not a simple task,” Keir Starmer told reporters.

“So we’re working with all of our allies, including our European partners, to bring together a viable ‌collective ⁠plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible and ease the economic impact.”

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime passage between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies normally pass through the route. Recent disruptions linked to the conflict have pushed oil prices above $100 per barrel.

Starmer emphasised that while Britain would take necessary measures to defend itself and its allies, it would avoid becoming directly involved in a broader war.

“while Britain was “taking the necessary action to ⁠defend ourselves and our allies, we will not be drawn into the wider war”.

When asked about Britain’s potential military contribution, Starmer noted that the country recently withdrew its last minehunter vessel from the region but still maintains autonomous mine-hunting systems in nearby waters.

He added that Britain and its partners are currently evaluating the assets they could collectively deploy, stressing that broad international participation would be key to securing the waterway.

Starmer also revealed that he spoke with Trump on Sunday night regarding the situation and dismissed suggestions that tensions over the conflict had harmed the relationship between the two countries.

According to the prime minister, the conversation took place “in the way that you would expect between two allies and two leaders,” adding that he continues to maintain “a good relationship” with the U.S. president.