Starmer stated that Britain would not support a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz
Kyiv • UNN
Keir Starmer stated that Britain would not participate in the blockade despite pressure from the US. London will focus its efforts on opening the strait with the help of minesweepers.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated on Monday that under no pressure would Britain be drawn into a war with Iran or participate in a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This was reported by Reuters, writes UNN.
Details
"We do not support a blockade," he said on BBC Radio 5 Live, adding that it was important to restore the opening of the strait as soon as possible.
"In my opinion, it is extremely important that we open the strait and open it completely, and that is what all our efforts have been focused on in recent weeks, and we will continue to do so," Starmer said.
He noted that Britain has minehunters in the region, and while he cannot comment on operational matters, military capabilities are focused on fully opening the strait.
Starmer said that Britain is under pressure to join the war, but he will not do so without a "clear legal basis" and a "clear thought-out plan."
"My decision is clear: despite any pressure, and there has been a lot of it, we will not be drawn into a war," he said.
The US military said it would begin a blockade of all maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas on Monday, after weekend talks failed to produce an agreement to end the war with Iran.
US Central Command said the blockade, which will begin Monday at 10:00 AM ET (14:00 GMT), will be "applied equally to vessels of all nations entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman."
Vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports will not be impeded, the US military said.
President Donald Trump said on Sunday that American forces would also intercept every vessel in international waters that paid a "toll" to Iran.
"No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas," Trump wrote on social media, adding: "Anyone in Iran who shoots at us or peaceful vessels will be destroyed to hell."
US begins full military blockade of all Iranian ports - media13.04.26, 18:47 • 2868 views