UK to urge full reopening of Strait of Hormuz
On Thursday, the UK’s foreign secretary will advocate for the complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, following warnings from the Iranian navy that ships without authorization risk being targeted. This move comes amid ongoing disruptions to maritime trade in the region, with vessels facing potential blockades.
During her annual address highlighting key foreign policy objectives, Yvette Cooper will also stress the importance of incorporating Lebanon into the US and Israel’s ceasefire agreement with Iran. While the UK did not participate in direct attacks on Iran, ministers are seeking to leverage diplomatic influence to restore the critical shipping passage.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s recent visit to Gulf allies included a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who underscored the necessity of a lasting peace. Cooper will emphasize that the conflict has global repercussions, contributing to increased food and fuel costs in the UK.
“There is considerable work to do and we support the negotiations,” Cooper will state, stressing that the war must not resume. “No country can close these routes – it goes against the fundamental principles of the law of the sea.”
The foreign secretary will argue that the Strait of Hormuz, a vital international transit route, must be unimpeded. She will highlight how Iran’s deliberate obstruction of this global economic lifeline impacts British citizens, despite the distance of over 3,000 miles.
Cooper is set to visit the International Maritime Organization later on Thursday, backing its efforts to assist ships and seafarers stranded in the waterway. She will reiterate that the full and unconditional reopening of the Strait must be a cornerstone of both the current ceasefire and the region’s future stability.
Previously, the UK led discussions involving more than 40 nations on resolving the Hormuz bottleneck, with consensus that ending the war was essential. Cooper noted that Iran had effectively used the route to “hold the global economy hostage” after a virtual summit where the US was not present.
Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels have disrupted energy exports and driven up fuel prices worldwide. The US has criticized allies for insufficient action to secure the waterway, prompting nations like the UK to evaluate their contributions without entering the broader conflict.
“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,” Cooper will say.
Before the ceasefire announcement on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump called on other countries to “build up some delayed courage” and take responsibility for reopening the route.
