Britain lobbies Saudi Arabia to secure oil supplies

Moscow – British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has undertaken an official visit to the Middle East to discuss the sustainability of oil supplies with regional partners amidst heightened tensions in the region, according to the British Foreign Office, Thursday.

Cooper’s visit to Saudi Arabia is intended to demonstrate British support for regional allies in defending themselves against reckless Iranian aggression, whilst also ensuring the sustainability of oil supplies amid threats of closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

“Britain will continue to work with regional partners, including Saudi Arabia, to prioritise energy security, protect bill payers, and ensure that communities pay the lowest prices at petrol stations,” the statement from the ministry read.

During the visit, Cooper will also inspect British air defence batteries stationed in Saudi Arabia since 2022.

On 28 February, the United States and Israel launched attacks against targets in Iran, resulting in damage and civilian casualties. Iran retaliated by attacking Israeli territory and American military facilities in the Middle East.

The United States and Israel initially claimed their attacks were necessary to counter what they considered a threat from Iran’s nuclear programme. However, they subsequently clarified that the attacks were conducted because they wished to see a change of government in Iran.