British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has refused to join US President Donald Trump's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which could worsen the economic situation of the British with higher fuel prices, PA Media and DPA reported, quoted by BTA.
Trump announced that from today the US military will stop tankers on the key oil and gas shipping route - a move that is expected to further increase oil prices.
Starmer is expected to discuss the cost of living with local residents during his visit to the city of Manchester today.
Finance Secretary Rachel Reeves will travel to Washington this week for meetings of the International Monetary Fund fund after warning that “war in Iran would come at a high cost to British families and businesses” in the United Kingdom.
On the other hand, parliament resumes work today after the Easter recess, with no solution to the crisis in the Middle East in sight, notes PA Media.
Trump announced the shipping blockade after peace talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended without a deal, with both sides blaming each other for the lack of an agreement.
The American president added, without giving details, that “other countries will be involved in this blockade“.
The United Kingdom “is urgently working with France and other partners to form a broad coalition to defend freedom of navigation“, a government spokesman in London said.
Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed on the need to work with a broad coalition of partners on the issue in a telephone conversation, “Downing Street” announced street“ 10.
This week, Britain will host new talks on reopening the sea route with a coalition of countries, which will also seek ways to support a sustainable end to the conflict and to increase international diplomatic pressure on Iran to reopen the strait, including through sanctions.