LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged the United States and Iran to return to negotiations and restore a ceasefire aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, warning that prolonged instability in the Gulf could threaten global energy supplies and undermine economic stability worldwide.
Speaking during high-level diplomatic consultations, Starmer stressed the importance of de-escalation and dialogue, saying the international community had a shared interest in maintaining peace and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of global trade through one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
“We want to see the ceasefire restored and maintained,” Starmer said, calling on both Washington and Tehran to pursue diplomatic solutions and avoid actions that could further inflame tensions in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, serves as a vital corridor for international energy exports. Approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments pass through the narrow waterway, making it a critical artery for global commerce and energy security.
Starmer warned that any prolonged disruption could trigger higher oil prices, increase shipping and insurance costs, and place additional strain on economies already grappling with inflation and slowing growth.
“Stability in the region is essential not only for those directly involved but for the wider international community,” he said, emphasizing that secure maritime routes are fundamental to global economic resilience.
The British leader also urged all parties to exercise restraint and support ongoing diplomatic initiatives designed to reduce tensions and safeguard commercial navigation in the Gulf.
His remarks come amid renewed international efforts to preserve freedom of navigation and prevent further disruptions to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a route used daily by oil tankers and liquefied natural gas carriers serving markets across Asia, Europe, and North America.
The United Kingdom, together with its allies and regional partners, has backed measures aimed at protecting commercial shipping while encouraging a negotiated settlement between the United States and Iran.
Analysts say any durable agreement that guarantees safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would likely reassure global markets, ease concerns over energy security, and help stabilize fuel prices at a time of continued geopolitical uncertainty.
