In another snub to US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday said Britain would not be drawn into the Iran war, but announced it would host a global summit to explore ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route blocked by Tehran.
Starmer said he would act in the country’s interest, whatever the “noise”, when asked about Trump’s remarks that he was strongly considering pulling the United States out of NATO.
“Whatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise, I’m going to act in the British national interest in the decisions that I make,” Starmer told reporters during a national address.
UK open hosting summit to open Hormuz blockade
Starmer also announced that the UK will host an international diplomatic conference this week to explore ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He said 35 countries have signed a statement committing to work together to restore maritime security along the key oil transport route.
He added that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will lead the conference, while military planners are working on security plans for the period after the Iran war. Starmer said that “a united front of military strength and diplomatic activity” is needed to restore stability.
