The United Kingdom is today, April 2, hosting a virtual summit with representatives from 35 countries, focused on restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s key oil supply routes.
The online summit will be chaired by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. The aim of the meeting is to discuss diplomatic and political measures to resume freedom of navigation, ensure the safety of stranded vessels and sailors, and restore supplies of vital energy resources — after the strait was effectively blocked amid the war between the US, Israel, and Iran.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who announced the summit the previous day at a Downing Street press conference, stressed that reopening the strait “will not be easy.” He noted that 35 countries have already joined a joint statement expressing their intention to ensure maritime security in the region.
Starmer also called for an “ambitious” reset of relations with the European Union. Against the backdrop of tensions with President Donald Trump’s administration — which has criticised European allies for insufficient support — the British Prime Minister stated that, in an era of global instability, the UK’s long-term national interests require closer economic and defence cooperation with Europe.
“We want to be more ambitious. Closer economic cooperation, closer security cooperation — a partnership that recognises our shared values, shared interests, and shared future,” Starmer said.
He also confirmed that the UK has no intention of direct military involvement in the region, describing the conflict as “not our war,” but warned of serious economic consequences for British citizens, including rising fuel and food prices.
Participants in the summit include the G7 nations, key European states (France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and others), as well as partners from Asia, the Middle East, and Australia. The United States is not among the participants.
The outcomes of today’s meeting may serve as a foundation for further coordinated action, including possible meetings of defence ministers.
The situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the greatest threats to global energy security: approximately 20% of the world’s oil passes through it.