UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that the United Kingdom will neither support nor participate in a United States military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
According to the BBC, Keir Starmer said that his country aims to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open rather than closed, as disruptions could significantly impact global energy prices.
“We’re not supporting the blockade and all of the marshaling diplomatically, politically, and capability… that’s all focused, from our point of view, on getting the Strait fully open,” said Keir Starmer.
He added that although the UK will continue operating in the region, British naval ships and soldiers will not be used to block the pathway.
Keir Starmer Declines to Take Part in Strait of Hormuz Blockage
Keir Starmer highlighted that the UK is working with allies to restore full freedom of navigation through the waterway “as quickly as possible.”
“What we’ve been doing over the last few weeks, and this was part of what I was discussing with the Gulf states last week, is bringing countries together to keep the strait open, not shut,” said Keir Starmer.
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This development follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement on Sunday, April 12, 2026, of the blockage of the oil passage pathway after talks with Iran failed to secure a lasting peace deal to end hostilities in the Middle East.
Trump said the US Navy would block any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the blockade would remain until Iran opens the Strait to all traffic.
In addition, he noted that other countries would be involved in blockading the strait but did not say which ones.
Trump also stated that NATO offered to help “clean out” the strait, adding that it would be free to use again in not too long a distance.
IDF Wary of Possible Return to Conflict as US-Iran Talks Collapse
Apart from the Strait of Hormuz blockage, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have warned of a possible return to conflict following the collapse of talks between the United States and Iran.
In a statement dated April 12, 2026, a veteran, Yossi Yehoshua, said that General Eyal Zamir, Chief of Staff, has reportedly placed the military on immediate alert, ordering full readiness for a potential escalation with Iran.
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“The Chief of Staff puts IDF on alert: Immediate readiness to return to war with Iran. In light of the collapse of the talks between the US and Iran,” stated Yossi Yehoshua.
This prepares the military to adopt a combat readiness protocol like that used in previous operations involving Iran.
Additionally, the intelligence units are also accelerating target development while forces shift into a pre-operation alert posture.
