The UK will host a meeting of foreign ministers of 35 countries this week to discuss ways to ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday.
“The Defense Secretary John Healey has been in the Middle East speaking to our partners. And the UK has now brought together 35 nations around our statement of intent to push as one for maritime security across the Gulf,” he said.
The UK has now convened 35 countries in a joint statement to enhance maritime security. Later this week, a meeting hosted by the Foreign Secretary will bring these nations together to explore all viable diplomatic and political measures to restore freedom of navigation, protect trapped vessels and seafarers, and resume the movement of vital commodities.
“And today I can announce that later this week, the Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will host a meeting that brings those nations together for the first time, where we will assess all viable diplomatic and political measures that we can take to restore freedom of navigation, guarantee the safety of trapped ships and seafarers, and resume the movement of vital commodities,” Starmer told reporters.
The top diplomats will consider possible diplomatic and political measures to restore freedom of navigation, ensure the safety of stranded vessels and seafarers, and resume commercial vessel traffic, the prime minister added.
After the meeting, the ministers will also hold a meeting of military planners who will discuss possible steps to ensure the security of the strait after the cessation of hostilities, Starmer said.
Previously, 35 countries have said they are ready to help ensure the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions surrounding Iran.
The countries also warned that interference with international shipping and disruptions to global energy supply chains pose a threat to international peace and security.
UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer sought to clear his stand on the West Asia war, saying the conflict is not UK’s war, and reassured the British public that the UK will not be drawn into the fighting, while outlining a decisive plan to protect national security, energy supplies, and the economy.
“This is not our war,” Starmer said, “we will not be drawn into the conflict. That is not in our national interest,” as he underlined the fact that the conflict in the Middle East has now entered its second month, prompting urgent action from the UK government.
The Prime Minister stressed that UK’s priority is de-escalation and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy artery in the region. “The most effective way we can support the cost of living in Britain is to push for peace and maritime security in the Gulf,” he said.
Starmer said the UK was willing to host a meeting with dozens of countries this week on the Strait of Hormuz. The government has been actively engaging international partners. The Foreign Secretary and Chancellor have met counterparts in the G7, while the Defence Secretary has been in the Middle East consulting allied nations.
Following that, military planners will assess how the UK can ensure safe access to the Strait once hostilities cease. “We need a united front of military strength and diplomatic engagement,” Starmer said.
“Partnership with industry, and above all, clear and calm leadership — that is what this country is ready to provide.”
Turning to the domestic impact, Starmer acknowledged public concerns over energy prices and cost of living. He outlined the government’s five-point plan for immediate relief: “Cutting energy bills by over £100 per household, extending the cut in fuel duty until September, allocating £53 million to support those affected by heating oil rises, and investing in clean British energy to secure long-term energy independence.”
He also strssed the need to contiue to push for de-escalation in the Middle East.
“We will continue to stand up for the British national interest, and we continue to do what we must to guide our country calmly through this storm,” he said.
However, he also noted that it is increasingly clear that as the world continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union.
Starmer emphasized that these measures are part of a broader, long-term strategy to strengthen the UK’s resilience. “This time, we will emerge from this crisis stronger and fairer,” he said. “We are taking control of our energy, our economy, and our national security to protect the British people.”
The Prime Minister also announced upcoming reforms: prescription costs frozen for a year, increases to the national living wage and state pension, and the scrapping of the two-child limit, lifting 450,000 children out of poverty. The government will also implement the most significant strengthening of workers’ rights in a generation.
Starmer framed these steps within a vision for closer cooperation with European allies. “Our long-term national interest requires partnership with the EU on security, trade, and energy. Brexit did deep damage to our economy, and we cannot ignore opportunities to strengthen our security and cut the cost of living.”
The UK is set to host a new summit with EU partners to pursue ambitious economic and security cooperation, reflecting shared values and preparing the country for a volatile global landscape.
“My guide from the start of this conflict has been the British national interest,” Starmer concluded.
“Freedom of navigation in the Middle East, protection of our people, and securing our future — this is what we will deliver.”
