The UK government has officially stated that it will not participate in the US-proposed naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This decision marks a new point of contention between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump amid the escalating conflict over Iran.
Earlier, on April 12, President Trump announced the launch of a full blockade of the strategic strait following the failure of hours-long peace negotiations with Iran in Pakistan. According to the American leader, the US Navy would begin blocking all vessels attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz starting at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. Trump also warned that any Iranian who opens fire on American or civilian vessels would be “destroyed.”
In response, an official spokesperson for the British government stated: “We continue to support freedom of navigation and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is critically important for sustaining the global economy and reducing the cost of living in our country.” London emphasized that the strait “must not be subject to any fees” and called for de-escalation. The United Kingdom is working with France and other partners to build a broad coalition to ensure freedom of navigation through diplomatic and other means but has no intention of directly participating in the American blockade.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s key energy chokepoints: approximately 20–30% of all globally produced oil passes through it. The closure or blockade of the strait by Iran — where traffic has dropped significantly since February 2026 — and the US countermeasures have already driven up oil prices and posed threats to global trade.
London’s decision reflects the UK’s more cautious approach to conflict escalation. Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace had previously described the possible deployment of British warships to the region as a “fantasy,” citing the country’s overstretched armed forces.
It remains unclear how this will affect the future relationship between London and Washington, though sources note growing disagreements between Starmer and Trump on the Iran question.