UK to urge full reopening of Strait of Hormuz
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to advocate for the complete unblocking of the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday after Iranian naval forces issued warnings to Gulf ships, threatening to attack those without prior permission. The reopening of the vital waterway, which has been closed by Tehran, remains a top priority for the UK, despite its absence in the initial military strikes against Iran.
Lebanon’s Role in Ceasefire Talks
In her annual address on foreign policy, Cooper will also push for Lebanon to be part of the US and Israel’s ceasefire agreement with Iran. While the UK did not participate in the attacks, ministers are eager to leverage diplomatic influence to restore normalcy to the shipping lane. The foreign secretary will highlight the global economic impact of the closure, emphasizing that it has raised fuel and food costs in the UK, even though the country is geographically distant from the conflict.
“No country can close these routes—it goes against the fundamental principles of the law of the sea,” Cooper will state, stressing the importance of the Strait as an international transit corridor.
Regional Cooperation and Law of the Sea
Cooper will argue that the deliberate obstruction of the Strait represents a threat to global trade, urging the US and Israel to include Lebanon in the ceasefire deal. She will also visit the International Maritime Organization on Thursday to express solidarity with its efforts to aid vessels stuck in the region. The UK has already led discussions with over 40 nations to resolve the crisis, with all participants agreeing the war must end to restore free passage.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s recent trip to the Gulf saw meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who endorsed the need for lasting peace. Cooper will reiterate that the Strait’s full reopening should be central to both immediate ceasefire talks and the long-term stability of the region.
Iran’s Impact and US Criticism
Iran’s attacks on several ships have disrupted energy exports and driven up global fuel prices. The US has accused allies of not doing enough to secure the route or back its military campaign, prompting the UK to balance support for the waterway with caution about broader involvement in the war. Before the ceasefire announcement, former President Donald Trump remarked that other nations should “build up some delayed courage” to reopen the channel.
Cooper will call for toll-free navigation of the Strait, citing concerns that ships might be forced to pay Iran for safe passage. She will underscore that the closure has affected “every country on every continent,” reinforcing the UK’s stance on international cooperation to resolve the crisis.
