United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has firmly ruled out British involvement in any US-led blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating that London will not be dragged into a conflict with Iran. Mr Starmer emphaiszed the UK’s commitment to keeping vital shipping lanes accessible without escalating military tensions. His remarks came as Iran threatened ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman after US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it would begin blockading maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports at 10 am Eastern Time (8:30 PM Indian Standard Time).
The blockade will be applied impartially to vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports, including those along the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Mr Starmer said that Britain has been consistently in consultation with allies on measures to keep the Strait of Hormuz open as tensions between Iran and the US ease. He expressed grave concern over the impact of restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz on global energy markets.
