UK and France to host summit on reopening Strait of Hormuz

Evening Standard

The UK and France are leading political and military planning to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but no mission will begin until hostilities between the US and Iran end, Sir Keir Starmer said.The Prime Minister was speaking after Donald Trump’s blockade of Iranian ports came into effect, with the US president threatening to sink Tehran’s fast attack vessels if they come near American warships.Sir Keir refused to back Mr Trump’s blockade and called for unfettered access to the strait, a vital route for global oil and gas supplies from the Gulf.

Transcript

00:00And Mr Speaker, I can confirm today that together with President Macron, I will convene a summit

00:07of leaders this week to drive forward the international effort we have built in recent

00:12weeks, bringing together dozens of countries to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait

00:18of Hormuz.

00:20The summit will be focused on two things.

00:23First, diplomatic efforts to bring pressure to bear for a negotiated end to the conflict

00:30and for the Strait to be opened.

00:33Second, military planning to provide assurance to shipping as soon as a stable environment

00:40can be established.

00:42And let me be very clear, this is about safeguarding shipping and supporting freedom of navigation

00:49once the conflict ends.

00:53Our shared aim here is a coordinated, independent, multinational plan.

00:59This is the moment, Mr Speaker, for clear and calm leadership.

01:03And notwithstanding the difficulties, Britain stands ready to play our part.

01:08Amen.

01:09Thank you very much.

Category

Transcript

Comments

Recommended