Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened with “unconditional and unrestricted” access for shipping, as a US-Iran deal appeared to be drawing closer.
US President Donald Trump has said a deal with Iran, which would include opening the strait, a vital oil and gas shipping route, has been “largely negotiated”
Trump said “final aspects of the deal” are currently being discussed.
Starmer said the UK would work with allies to “seize this moment” to help achieve a long-term solution in the Middle East.
Starmer said: “I welcome the progress towards an agreement between the US and Iran.
“We need to see an agreement that brings the conflict to an end and reopens the Strait of Hormuz, with unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation.
“It’s vital that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.
“My Government will continue to do everything we can to protect British people from the impact of this conflict.
“We will work with our international partners to seize this moment and achieve a long-term diplomatic settlement.”
The UK has already announced that Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon has been sent to the Middle East to prepare for a possible international mission to safeguard shipping in the strait if a peace deal is put in place.
The strait has been effectively closed to most shipping by Iran since the US-Israeli bombing campaign began at the end of February.
The closure of the strait, which normally carries around 20% of global oil and gas shipping, has driven up prices around the world.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said: “Final aspects and details of the deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly.
“In addition to many other elements of the agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened.”
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