US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss the ongoing ceasefire with Iran and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.
The officials reviewed the next steps regarding the ceasefire and stressed the urgent need to restore freedom of navigation in the strait, ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels and uninterrupted global energy supplies.
The current ceasefire between Washington and Tehran is set to expire on April 22.
US President Donald Trump noted that it is still uncertain whether the ceasefire will be extended, but expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations, highlighting Iran’s willingness to compromise compared to two months ago.
“We’re doing very well… Iran wants to make a deal, and we’re dealing very nicely with them. We’ve got to have no nuclear weapons,” Trump said.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are scheduled to co-host a virtual summit with leaders from around 40 countries to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz and securing critical shipping routes.
Discussions will focus on supporting the fragile Iran ceasefire, establishing a defensive international mission to reopen the strait, and enhancing the safety of vessels through the International Maritime Organisation.
Starmer is expected to emphasize the global responsibility to ensure free trade and energy flow, alongside initiatives to reassure commercial shipping and support mine-clearance operations.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other world leaders are also expected to participate in the summit, which Starmer will co-host from Paris on Friday.
