UK leads international summit to address Strait of Hormuz closure

On Thursday, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will chair a virtual meeting with representatives from approximately 35 nations to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The coalition, including France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates, seeks to restore navigation in the critical waterway that handles one-fifth of global oil consumption. The United States will not participate, as President Donald Trump stated that securing the route is the responsibility of nations reliant on its energy supplies. Iran has effectively closed the Strait since late February in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli military actions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that the meeting aims to explore diplomatic and political measures to ensure future safety once a ceasefire is reached. Global Brent crude prices have risen from $73 to over $100 per barrel due to the ongoing disruptions. While European nations initially resisted calls to deploy navies, the economic pressure of rising energy costs has necessitated this collective diplomatic effort.