UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejected US President Donald Trump’s call to send British warships to the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the safety of shipping amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Starmer stated in a phone call with Trump that the UK is not currently prepared to commit Royal Navy warships to the operation to unblock the strategic strait. Instead, London is considering providing unmanned mine countermeasure systems and missile interceptors as part of the international effort.
Downing Street confirmed that the importance of quickly resuming shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to prevent further increases in energy prices worldwide was discussed in the conversation with Trump. At the same time, the UK officially emphasized that it will continue diplomatic efforts and provide support through non-lethal and technical means.
France, Germany, Japan, and Australia have also adopted a similarly cautious stance; none of these countries have yet confirmed their willingness to send warships to the region.