UK refuses to get dragged into US-Iran war, but is leading international effort to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Since the start of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has consistently refused to drag his country into the conflict, saying it is "not our war" and that participating in it was against the British national interest. In the initial days of the war, PM Starmer had also refused US requests to use UK military bases to carry out attacks on Iran. This was later changed and the UK has since authorized the United States to use specific military bases for "defensive" strikes against Iran, even as Starmer insists that the UK is not "at war."

35 countries to discuss reopening Strait of Hormuz

While the UK has stayed out of the conflict, Britain is leading international efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial marine chokepoint controlled by Iran.

On Thursday, Britain will host talks aimed at forming a coalition of countries to explore ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. British foreign minister Yvette Cooper will chair the virtual meeting of about 35 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.

Iran shuts Strait of Hormuz

Iran has effectively shut down the Strait, which carries about a fifth of the world's total oil consumption, in response to the US-Israeli strikes, causing global oil and gas prices to rise.

In the past few weeks, Iran has further strengthened its stranglehold over the Strait of Hormuz, allowing only vessels from ‘friendly nations’, including India, to transit, while making it clear that it was closed for enemy ships.

Trump's position on opening Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly made the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz a precondition for a ceasefire with Iran. After others, including NATO allies, turned down his calls to join in the efforts to reopen the Strait, Trump said securing the vital waterway was a problem for other nations to resolve.

During his address to the nation on Wednesday, Trump said that the Strait could open "naturally" and it was the responsibility of countries that rely on the waterway to ensure it was open.

What UK hopes to achieve

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday the meeting would assess "all viable diplomatic and political measures" to restore the freedom of navigation in the area after a ceasefire has been reached.

According to Reuters, the UK-led talks on Thursday will be the first formal meeting of the group before more detailed discussions involving military planners over the coming weeks, the officials said.

One European official told Reuters that it was expected that any first phase of any plan for reopening the Strait would be on ensuring the waterway was free of mines, followed by a second phase to protect tankers crossing the area.

Starmer said reopening the waterway would "not be easy" and would require "a united front of military strength and diplomatic activity" alongside working with the shipping industry.

Trump said on Wednesday that other countries that use the Strait of Hormuz should "build up some delayed courage" and "just grab it".

"Just take it, protect it, use it for yourselves," he said.