British Prime Minister: We Will Do Everything to Keep the Strait of Hormuz Open

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would do "everything he can" to lessen the impact of the war on the Iranian people and help ensure the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.

Speaking to reporters, he said:

"It is crucial that we form a coalition of nations around the principle that the ceasefire must be permanent, an agreement must be reached, and the Strait of Hormuz must remain open."

Starmer made these remarks shortly after arriving at the Élysée Palace in Paris, just before meeting the French President. He added:

"This is in everyone’s interest because what happens in the war in Iran affects the economies of all countries. This is why nations are working together [on this matter]."

He continued, "Everyone understands that to achieve this goal, we need a diplomatic and political path, a logistical and economic component, and also a form of military planning, and that is why we are gathering today."

Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron are scheduled to co-chair a virtual meeting this afternoon, Friday, April 17, with around 40 countries expected to attend. The summit aims to create a multilateral mission to restore the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz has remained closed since February 27, when U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran began, sending global energy markets into crisis. Since Monday, April 13, the United States has also enforced a naval blockade on Iran’s southern ports, limiting the movement of Iranian vessels in the region. The worsening economic crisis has pushed several countries to step up efforts to reopen this key waterway.