UK Proposes Special Summit to Discuss Shipping Security in Strait of Hormuz

Moscow (ANTARA) - The United Kingdom has proposed holding a high-level conference to discuss the security of ship navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Politico report citing an official. According to the media report on Tuesday, London seeks to facilitate the formation of a coalition to “open a safe shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz and provide such guarantees to commercial ships”. Meanwhile, it is known that more than 30 countries to date, including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, have signed a joint statement regarding their commitment to contribute to ensuring safe ship navigation in the Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict in the Gulf region. The Politico report states that the summit could be held in London or Portsmouth. On 28 February, the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, including Tehran, causing damage to infrastructure and loss of life. Iran then carried out retaliatory attacks on Israeli territory and US military bases across the Middle East. As a result of this tension, shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and LPG supplies from the Gulf region to global markets, has come to a complete halt. Consequently, many countries are experiencing rises in fuel prices. Source: Sputnik