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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has affirmed the UK’s commitment to ensuring the free flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, following a significant agreement brokered by US president Donald Trump with Iran.
Speaking from the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, where Mr Trump was also present, Sir Keir extended his congratulations to the American leader for what he described as an “important breakthrough”.
The deal, according to Mr Trump, is set to see oil resume its unhindered passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping artery exiting the Persian Gulf. The US president indicated that the strait could be fully operational as early as Friday, coinciding with the deal’s signing in Switzerland.
Sir Keir highlighted the economic ramifications of the strait’s closure for the UK, stating: “Let me first say how much we welcome the deal that President Trump has been able to get in this situation, congratulate him and the mediators on the work that they have done, because this is a really important breakthrough.”
Starmer says he and French president Macron have ‘put together a group of countries prepared to play their part in terms of reassurance to get vessels through the strait’ (AFP/Getty)
He continued, explaining the G7 discussions: “At the G7 here we’ve been discussing the details of that deal and how we get the Strait of Hormuz open as quickly as possible.”
The Prime Minister also referenced a joint initiative with French President Emmanuel Macron: “As you will know, President Macron and I put together a group of countries prepared to play their part in terms of reassurance to get vessels through the strait.”
Sir Keir underscored the national importance, adding: “That is hugely important in terms of reopening the strait, very, very important for us in the United Kingdom, because, of course, the strait being closed in the way that it has has had an impact on our economy, had an impact on every household across the country, so we’ll play our full part in relation to that.”
France, for its part, had previously indicated that French fighter jets could be patrolling the strait by Tuesday, with an aircraft carrier already deployed in the region.
The UK and France have been at the forefront of plans for a defensive mission aimed at protecting and reassuring vessels in the channel once hostilities cease, including the deployment of autonomous mine-hunting equipment.
Trump is currently meeting world leaders at the G7 summit in France (AFP/Getty)
However, Mr Trump expressed confidence on Monday that the US would not “need much help” in guaranteeing free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, attributing this to the peace agreement with Iran. Despite this, the US president conceded that he did not consider it “a bad idea to have a ship or two” from other nations stationed in the strategic waterway.
While the agreement is poised to end the conflict, lift the US blockade, and reopen the vital strait, it notably defers discussions on Iran’s contentious nuclear programme to future negotiations
Iran’s foreign minister has said the deal to end the war with the US also requires Israel to withdraw from Lebanon.
Israel is not part of the agreement.