London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump on Thursday endorsed the “need for a practical plan” to restart vital shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for about 20% of global oil trade, following the US-Iran ceasefire, Downing Street announced.
The two leaders “agreed that now there is a ceasefire in place and agreement to open the Strait, we are at the next stage of finding a resolution,” the prime minister’s office said. “The leaders discussed the need for a practical plan to get shipping moving again as quickly as possible,” it added, with plans for a follow-up call, AFP reported.
Shipping traffic through the strait has ground to a near halt despite the ceasefire declaration, exacerbating global energy concerns.
Starmer’s ongoing Gulf tour — his latest diplomatic push amid escalating Middle East tensions — seeks to transform the fragile truce into lasting stability. Speaking to journalists, he relayed that Gulf leaders described the ceasefire as “fragile, that there’s work to do in relation to it.”
They regard Britain as a “friend,” he added, underscoring his goal “to make sure the ceasefire is a permanent ceasefire and that the Strait of Hormuz is open.”
The trip began on Wednesday in Jeddah, where Starmer met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and outlined how “efforts must now be focused on upholding” the ceasefire “and turning it into a lasting peace,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.
On Thursday, he held talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, addressing the “serious implications” of regional developments, according to the official UAE news agency. Subsequently in Bahrain, Starmer conferred with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who doubles as prime minister. He arrived in Qatar that evening for further discussions with Gulf leaders on the war and ceasefire.
In Bahrain, Starmer dismissed Iran’s proposal to impose fees on ships using the strait. “Our position is ‘open’ means open for safe navigation,” he told ITV News. “That means toll-free navigation and vessels can get through.”
He condemned Israel’s persistent strikes on Lebanon as “wrong,” rejecting Tel Aviv’s claim that the country lies outside the ceasefire. “Let’s be really clear about it, they’re wrong,” Starmer said. “That shouldn’t be happening, that should stop, that’s my strong view.” He called it a “matter of principles,” while admitting he lacked complete details of the deal.
Starmer also rebuked Trump’s bombastic Iran warnings, stating he would “never use” phrases like “a whole civilisation will die tonight.”
The leaders’ exchange caps a week of British-led diplomacy, including a virtual meeting Tuesday hosted by London for military planners from over 30 nations to explore protecting Hormuz shipping.
