Britain is working with partners on a viable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz but rules out a NATO-led mission to restore navigation.
LONDON: Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain is collaborating with allies to formulate a viable plan to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Starmer confirmed he had discussed the situation with US President Donald Trump, following Iran’s effective closure of the key oil transport route during the ongoing Middle East war.
“We’re working with all of our allies, including our European partners, to bring together a viable collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible and ease the economic impacts,” said the UK leader.
He emphasised the intention was to make the plan credible while explicitly ruling out any involvement from the NATO alliance.
“Let me be clear, that won’t be and it’s never been envisioned to be a NATO mission,” Starmer stated.
The prime minister explained that the effort would instead require an alliance of partners, which is why Britain is working with nations in Europe, the Gulf, and the United States.
His comments followed a warning from President Trump that NATO faces a very bad future if US allies fail to help reopen the crucial maritime chokepoint.
“It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” Trump said.
Starmer also insisted that while Britain is taking necessary action to defend itself and its allies, the nation will not be drawn into a wider regional conflict.
