In another snub to US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday said Britain would not be drawn into the Iran war, but announced it would host a global summit to explore ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route blocked by Tehran.
Starmer said he would act in the countryโs interest, whatever the “noise”, when asked about Trumpโs remarks that he was strongly considering pulling the United States out of NATO.
โWhatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise, Iโm going to act in the British national interest in the decisions that I make,โ Starmer told reporters during a national address.
UK open hosting summit to open Hormuz blockade
Starmer also announced that the UK will host an international diplomatic conference this week to explore ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He said 35 countries have signed a statement committing to work together to restore maritime security along the key oil transport route.
He added that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will lead the conference, while military planners are working on security plans for the period after the Iran war. Starmer said that โa united front of military strength and diplomatic activityโ is needed to restore stability.
Starmer’s address came hours after US President Donald Trump indicated he was considering pulling out of NATO over the blocโs refusal to support Washington in the war. The remarks followed decisions by two NATO allies, Italy and Spain, to deny the use of their military bases for US jets involved in the conflict. Trump has also repeatedly singled out the UK and Starmer in his criticism.
The latest comments came on Tuesday, when Trump told the UK that the US โwonโt be there to help you anymoreโ and urged it to โgo get your own oilโ by force from the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which 20% of global oil and gas supplies pass.
However, Starmer made it clear that he was not choosing Europe over the US, while stressing that the UK remains โfully committed to NATOโ. โItโs in our interest to have a strong relationship with the US and with Europe. But when it comes to defence and security, energy and the economy, we need a stronger relationship with Europe,โ he said, underlining the UKโs current priorities.
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