UK to urge full reopening of Strait of Hormuz

UK to Urge Full Reopening of Strait of Hormuz

On Thursday, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will advocate for the complete re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz after Iranian naval forces issued warnings to vessels in the Gulf, threatening attacks on those without prior authorization to transit. This move comes amid growing concerns over the economic impact of the waterway’s closure, which has disrupted global energy flows and driven up costs for British consumers.

During her annual address on foreign policy, Cooper will also emphasize the need to extend the U.S.-Israel ceasefire agreement with Iran to include Lebanon. Although the UK did not participate in the initial strikes against Iran, ministers are keen to leverage diplomatic influence to ease tensions and restore the critical shipping lane. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s recent visit to Gulf allies, including a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reinforced the shared goal of achieving a lasting peace in the region.

Cooper is expected to highlight the far-reaching consequences of the conflict, stating that it has “affected every country on every continent” and exacerbated inflation in the UK. She will argue that the Strait must be made free of tolls and obstacles, as reports suggest Iranian forces have begun demanding payments for safe passage. The UK acknowledges that ultimate authority rests with the U.S. and Israel but will call for their inclusion of Lebanon in the ceasefire deal to ensure broader stability.

“There is considerable work to do and we support the negotiations,” Cooper will say. “There must be no return to conflict.”

The foreign secretary will also visit the International Maritime Organization on Thursday to endorse its efforts in assisting ships and seafarers stranded 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.

Last week, the UK led discussions involving over 40 nations to address the blockage of the Strait, with consensus reached on the necessity of ending the war first. Cooper noted that Iran had “hijacked” the international shipping route to “hold the global economy hostage,” a strategy she attributed to the absence of U.S. involvement in the virtual summit. Meanwhile, the U.S. has criticized allies for insufficient support in securing the vital waterway, prompting the UK to weigh its contributions without committing to the broader conflict.

Iran’s attacks on several vessels, in response to the U.S. and Israel’s campaign, have further strained energy exports and pushed global fuel prices to record highs. Before the ceasefire announcement on Wednesday, former President Donald Trump had urged other nations to “build up some delayed courage” and take the lead in reopening the strait.