Britain will host a round of talks on Thursday to form a coalition of countries to explore ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump said securing the vital waterway was a problem for other nations to solve.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will chair the virtual meeting of around 35 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Canada and the United Arab Emirates, around noon London time to explore ways to restore freedom of navigation in the area. The United States will not participate in this meeting.
The meeting comes after Trump said in a speech to his nation late Wednesday that the strait could open “naturally” and that it was the responsibility of countries that depend on the waterway to ensure it is open.
The whole world wants the reopening of Hormuz
Iran has effectively closed the strait, which carries about a fifth of the world's total oil consumption, in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks that began in late February. Reopening the waterway has become a priority for governments around the world amid skyrocketing energy prices.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that the meeting would assess “all viable diplomatic and political measures” to restore freedom of navigation in the area after a ceasefire is reached.
European countries initially refused Trump's request to send naval forces to the area due to fears of being dragged into the conflict.
But concerns about the impact of rising energy costs on the global economy have led them to try to form a coalition to explore ways to reopen the waterway once a ceasefire agreement is reached, according to European officials.
Thursday's talks will be the group's first formal meeting, ahead of more detailed discussions with military planners in the coming weeks, officials said, cited by Reuters.
A European official said the first phase of any plan to reopen the strait is expected to focus on ensuring the sea route is mine-free, followed by a second phase to protect oil tankers passing through the area.
Starmer said reopening the waterway “will not be easy” and will require “a united front of military force and diplomatic activity”, along with working with the shipping industry.
Trump said on Wednesday that other countries using the Strait of Hormuz should “must their courage” and “just take it”. “Just take it, protect it, use it for yourselves,” he said.
