UK Hosts Meeting with 35 Countries to Discuss Strait of Hormuz Crisis
The UK is rallying international support to break the deadlock in the Strait of Hormuz. A total of 35 countries are scheduled to gather in a forum led by London to find ways to reopen this vital shipping route, which is currently disrupted by Iran’s blockade.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the follow-up meeting from the joint UK-France initiative will be held on Thursday (2/4), involving world leaders and the UK Foreign Secretary.
“We will assess all possible diplomatic and political steps to restore freedom of navigation, ensure the safety of ships and their crews, and revive the flow of essential commodities,” Starmer said, quoted by The Guardian.
This meeting is described as the first to bring together dozens of countries to formulate concrete plans to open the Strait of Hormuz. Following the forum, UK military planners will also review next steps to ensure the route is secure after the conflict subsides.
However, Starmer warned that the recovery process will not be easy. He stressed that the main issue is not just insurance, but shipping safety.
“The main challenge is the security of the route, not insurance. We need a combination of military strength, diplomacy, and partnerships with industry players so that movement can return to normal after the war ends,” he said.
The forum is attended by countries that signed a joint statement last month, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, and Nigeria. They have committed to contributing to efforts to ensure shipping security in the strait.
The United States was not directly invited to this meeting.
The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is increasingly pressuring global supply chains. Around 1,000 ships are now stranded due to Iran’s partial blockade.
Before the conflict, this route handled about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply, as well as one-third of global fertiliser distribution that supports food production. Now, only about 130 ships have successfully passed since the war broke out.
On the other hand, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has asserted that the strait remains under their control and will be closed to enemies.
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