Sri Lanka
USA
Canada
India
UK
UAE
The United Kingdom has brought together foreign ministers from 40 countries to discuss measures aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime corridor currently affected by ongoing tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The virtual summit, held on Thursday, highlighted the strait’s importance for global trade and energy flows. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned Iran’s actions as “reckless,” arguing that the blockade threatens international economic stability. She accused Tehran of exploiting the waterway to gain leverage over global markets, stating that the disruption has brought almost all shipping through the strait to a standstill and contributed to rising oil prices.
Notably, the United States did not participate in the meeting. President Donald Trump has repeatedly indicated that ensuring security in the strait is not Washington’s responsibility, while also criticizing European allies for not supporting US initiatives in the region.
Despite the US absence, the coalition included a diverse range of nations such as France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan, and the UAE, which collectively called for the immediate end of efforts to block the strait. These countries pledged to work together to ensure safe international shipping passage, though questions remain over the practical naval capabilities available and the extent to which a military response is feasible.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that non-military solutions are the priority, seeking a diplomatic approach to secure the strait while avoiding direct involvement in the conflict. Military planners from the UK Ministry of Defence are set to meet with international partners to discuss long-term security measures once hostilities subside.
French President Emmanuel Macron also ruled out military intervention, describing such action as impractical and dangerous due to coastal threats posed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He proposed that direct negotiations with Iran are the most realistic path forward.
Since the conflict escalated on February 28, there have been 23 reported attacks on commercial vessels, resulting in the deaths of 11 crew members. Iran maintains that non-hostile ships may transit the strait, restricting passage only for vessels from countries it considers adversaries.
The coalition’s efforts underline Europe’s determination to protect global trade routes and signal to the US that European nations are prepared to take a more active role in regional security amid ongoing tensions over NATO commitments.
