UK to urge full reopening of Strait of Hormuz
UK Foreign Secretary Calls for Full Reopening of Hormuz Strait
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to advocate for the complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday afternoon, following warnings from the Iranian navy that ships without permission could face attacks. The decision to reopen the vital waterway, which has been closed by Tehran, is central to her address on UK foreign policy priorities.
Lebanon’s Inclusion in Ceasefire Agreement
During her annual speech, Cooper will also push for Lebanon to be included in the US-Israel ceasefire deal with Iran. While the UK did not participate in the attacks on Iran, ministers are eager to use diplomatic influence to restore the critical shipping passage blocked by Tehran.
“No single nation can unilaterally shut down these routes, as it contradicts the core tenets of maritime law.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is currently touring Gulf allies, having met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman the previous evening to discuss the necessity of enduring peace. Cooper is anticipated to highlight that the conflict has impacted “every nation across all continents,” leading to increased food and fuel costs within the UK.
She will propose that the Strait of Hormuz’s shipping should be free of tolls and obstacles, following reports indicating ships might be required to pay Iran for safe transit. Cooper will emphasize that the strait must be reopened, as its deliberate closure is affecting British citizens despite the distance of over 3,000 miles.
Support for International Maritime Organization
Cooper will also visit the International Maritime Organization on Thursday to endorse its initiatives aiding vessels and crew stuck in the strait. “The full and unconditional re-opening of the Strait must be a central part not just of the current ceasefire but of the long term future for the region,” she will reiterate.
A week prior, the UK led discussions with over 40 nations to address the Strait’s blockade, with all attendees concurring that ending the conflict was paramount. Cooper stated that Iran had managed to “hijack” the international shipping route, effectively “placing the global economy in a bind” after the virtual summit, during which the US was absent.
Before the ceasefire was announced on Wednesday, former US President Donald Trump remarked that it was up to other nations to “cultivate some delayed resolve” to restore the passage. The US has repeatedly accused allies of not doing enough to secure the shipping route or support its war effort, leaving the UK and other nations weighing how to contribute to securing the critical waterway without becoming involved in the wider conflict.
