UK hosts talks on opening Strait of Hormuz - Politico
Keir Starmer (photo: Getty Images)
Next week, talks will be held in Britain with dozens of countries on how to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, according to Politico.
According to an official, representatives of 41 countries are to meet for the first time since US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran.
As is known, the American leader has stepped up pressure on NATO allies, demanding they present their own plans to ensure freedom of navigation through the strait. Three sources said that at a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday, Trump made it clear to those present that he wants concrete action from allies as soon as possible.
However, the next round of talks, organized by Britain, will be at a lower level than the first round in April. If that meeting involved foreign ministers, the second will include officials at the level of political directors.
An official declined to give the publication an exact date for the talks but said they would take place after the work of multinational working groups, within which practical solutions will be developed.
London expects that the talks will consider economic and political measures, such as sanctions and cooperation with the International Maritime Organization, to free vessels blocked in the Persian Gulf.
Britain also insists that no tolls can be imposed on shipping through this route, through which about a fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies pass.
Opening the Strait of Hormuz
The other day, US President Donald Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran in exchange for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, despite the ceasefire, there were reports that Iran had again closed the strait due to Israeli attacks on Lebanon. There is also information that Iran is allowing vessels to pass for a fee.
Against the backdrop of all these events, discussions are ongoing on how to finally open the Strait of Hormuz. Specifically, on April 10, a conversation took place between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump, during which they discussed further steps to open the strait.
That same day, Starmer said he was tired of the influence of the US and Russian presidents on energy prices in Britain. He stressed the need to stabilize the situation in the Middle East and restore safe navigation through the strait.
