Labour leader announces Britain will convene international summit on Strait of Hormuz maritime traffic

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that Britain will convene a meeting of approximately 35 countries this week to explore strategies for reopening the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, which has been severely impacted by the ongoing Middle East conflict.

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This gathering, to be hosted by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, aims to evaluate all feasible diplomatic and political measures to restore navigational freedom, ensure the safety of ships and seafarers, and resume the transport of essential commodities, according to Starmer's statement during a press conference at Downing Street.

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Following the meeting, military planners will convene to discuss how to mobilize capabilities and make the strait accessible and secure once the fighting subsides, Starmer added, outlining the next steps in the process.

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The discussion will involve countries that have recently signed a statement expressing their readiness to contribute to efforts ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a group that includes Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the Netherlands, as mentioned by Starmer.

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Iran has effectively closed the vital strait since the US-Israeli strikes initiated the war on February 28, resulting in a significant surge in global oil and gas prices, with a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas typically passing through the strait during peacetime.

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Prime Minister Starmer cautioned that reopening the strait would be a challenging task, stating "I do have to level with people on this, this will not be easy", underscoring the complexity of the situation.

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Starmer also reaffirmed Britain's commitment to NATO, describing it as "the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen", in response to renewed criticism from US President Donald Trump, who referred to NATO as a "paper tiger" in an article published in Britain's Telegraph newspaper on Wednesday.

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Trump's comments also included a statement that he would reconsider US membership in NATO, to which he responded "Oh yes, I would say it's beyond reconsideration", as reported by the paper, further fueling concerns about the alliance's future.

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Last month, Trump warned that it would be "very bad for the future of NATO" if member countries failed to assist in reopening the vital waterway, and on Tuesday, he advised countries struggling with fuel shortages but not participating in the war to "go get your own oil" in the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that the US would not provide assistance.