Starmer Heads to Gulf to Secure Hormuz Reopening After Ceasefire
London— British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will travel to the Gulf on Wednesday to hold talks with regional leaders aimed at ensuring the Strait of Hormuz reopens permanently following a U.S.-Iran ceasefire, his office said.
“I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world,” Starmer said in a statement, adding that efforts must now focus on sustaining the truce and reopening the vital maritime route.
Starmer said Britain would work with partners to support and uphold the ceasefire and turn it into a lasting agreement, while seeking to protect global economic stability by restoring access through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for oil and gas shipments.
The visit comes amid heightened diplomatic activity following the ceasefire, with London positioning itself in efforts to stabilise energy flows and reduce disruption to global markets.
Starmer, who has faced criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump for not backing recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, has in recent days convened multinational discussions on securing the reopening of the strait.
According to the British government, the prime minister’s discussions in the Gulf will focus on diplomatic measures to reinforce the ceasefire and prevent further escalation that could threaten international trade.
The trip had been scheduled prior to the ceasefire announcement, but now takes on added significance as global attention turns to ensuring uninterrupted passage through one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, discussing coordinated diplomatic steps to reopen the strait, including a UK-led meeting last week that brought together more than 40 countries to address the issue.
