UK working on a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed, emphasizing that the effort will not be carried out under NATO command. The move comes as tensions rise in the Middle East, with Iran effectively blocking one of the world’s most important oil transport corridors.
Speaking at 10 Downing Street, Starmer outlined Britain’s approach to restoring safe passage through the strait. The waterway is vital for global energy supplies, carrying a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments. Starmer said the UK is coordinating with international partners, including European countries, Gulf states, and the United States, to develop a viable plan that protects both commerce and security.
“We’re working with all of our allies to bring together a collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation and ease economic impacts as quickly as possible,” Starmer said. He stressed that NATO will not lead or command the operation. “Let me be clear, that won’t be and it’s never been envisioned to be a NATO mission,” he added.
Instead, the initiative will rely on a coalition of willing partners, allowing the UK to take action without becoming entangled in broader military commitments. Starmer’s comments follow warnings from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who noted that countries benefiting from the strait have a responsibility to ensure its security. “It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” Trump said.
The prime minister also sought to draw a line between immediate security measures and wider regional conflict. Britain will act to defend itself and its allies, Starmer explained, but will not be drawn into the ongoing war in the Middle East. The statement underscores the delicate balance the UK is trying to maintain: securing critical trade routes while avoiding escalation in an already volatile region.
This approach signals a pragmatic, coalition-driven strategy aimed at protecting global energy flows, maintaining regional stability, and asserting British influence without relying on NATO structures. Analysts suggest that such partnerships may redefine how Western and Gulf powers cooperate in future maritime security operations.
