Britain will not back blockade of Strait of Hormuz, PM Starmer says

LONDON – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on April 13 that whatever the pressure, Britain would not be dragged into the Iran war nor be involved in a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

“We’re not supporting the blockade,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live, adding that it was vital to get the strait reopened.

“It is, in my view, vital that we get the strait open and fully open, and that’s where we’ve put all of our efforts in the last few and we’ll continue to do so,” Mr Starmer said.

Britain had minesweepers in the region, he said, and while he could not discuss operational matters, the military capability was “focused from our point of view on getting the strait fully open”.

The US military said it would begin a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas on April 13, after weekend talks failed to reach a deal to end the war with Iran.

The US Central Command said that the US blockade, starting at 10am ET on April 13 (10pm Singapore time), would be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian 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.

US President Donald Trump said on April 12 US forces would also intercept every vessel in international waters that had paid a toll to Iran.

“No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” Mr Trump wrote on social media, adding, “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be blown to hell!” REUTERS

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