‘Closure deeply damaging’: Keir Starmer announces UK-France summit on restoring navigation in Strait of Hormuz
British PM Keir Starmer on Monday said the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is “deeply damaging” to global shipping and is worsening cost-of-living pressures worldwide, as Britain and France prepare to co-host a high-level summit this week.Starmer said the UK has already brought together representatives from more than 40 countries that share the goal of restoring freedom of navigation through the critical oil transit route. “This week the UK and France will co-host a summit to advance work on a coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international shipping when the conflict ends,” Starmer tweeted.The upcoming summit, co-hosted with France, will focus on advancing a “coordinated, independent, multinational plan” to safeguard international shipping once the ongoing conflict ends.The Strait of Hormuz, which carries nearly a fifth of global oil consumption, has effectively been shut amid escalating tensions involving the United States and Iran, disrupting maritime trade flows and raising global economic concerns.
What Macron said
French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris and London aim to convene countries willing to participate in a “strictly defensive” multinational mission to ensure safe passage through the Strait.Macron added that the proposed operation would remain separate from warring parties and could be deployed “as soon as circumstances permit.”The initiative is intended to restore freedom of navigation through a peaceful, coordinated international effort.
US blockade plan adds to tensions
The developments come as the United States moves ahead with a military blockade targeting maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports. Announced by United States Central Command, the blockade is set to be enforced impartially on vessels of all nations accessing Iranian ports across the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.US President Donald Trump said the move followed failed negotiations with Iran over its nuclear programme and control of the Strait. While Washington clarified that ships travelling to non-Iranian ports would not be obstructed, the move has increased tensions in the region.Britain has indicated it will not participate in enforcing the blockade, though it continues to maintain a naval presence in the region, including mine-countermeasure capabilities.The planned UK-France summit is expected to explore post-conflict arrangements to stabilise maritime routes and prevent further disruption to global trade.
