US President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Starmer for initially not supporting US-Israeli attacks on Tehran, and over the weekend said Britain, China, France, Japan and South Korea should send warships to the region to reopen the waterway.
Starmer said at a press conference that reopening the strait is the only way to stabilize energy markets and that he is talking to allies in Europe, the Gulf and the US about a plan to ensure freedom of navigation. He said it would not be a NATO-led mission.
He also unveiled the first financial support for British households as a result of the conflict, a 53 million pound ($70.30 million) package for the most vulnerable who rely on heating oil after its price skyrocketed due to the conflict.
– Ultimately, we must reopen the Strait of Hormuz in order to ensure stability on the (oil) market. It’s not an easy task – Starmer told reporters.
– That is why we are cooperating with all our allies, including our European partners, in order to put together a sustainable collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible and mitigate the economic impact – he said.
About a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes through the strait, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman. Iran’s virtual closure of the strait has pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel.
Starmer said that although Britain “takes the necessary measures to defend itself and its allies, we will not be dragged into a wider war”, reports Reuters.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
