Prime Minister Keir Starmer Rejects UK Participation in US Naval Blockade of Iranian Ports and Strait of Hormuz

Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the UK will not help enforce the US blockade of Iran. Read about the impact on oil prices and the diplomatic push for Hormuz.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 5:32 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from the BBC

UK Distances Itself from US Military Escalation in the Gulf

Sir Keir Starmer has formally ruled out the use of British naval ships or soldiers to enforce the military blockade of Iran recently announced by President Donald Trump. Speaking to BBC 5 Live, the Prime Minister clarified that while UK assets—specifically mine-sweepers and anti-drone capabilities—will remain active in the region, they will not be utilized to obstruct Iranian maritime traffic. The decision highlights a growing strategic divergence between London and Washington regarding the management of the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Trump Announces Total Blockade Following Failed Islamabad Talks

The US move to blockade the Strait of Hormuz follows the breakdown of high-stakes negotiations in Pakistan’s capital. President Trump declared that US Central Command (Centcom) would "impartially" block all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Although the US maintains that freedom of navigation for non-Iranian ports will be respected, the declaration has effectively turned the vital shipping channel into a focal point of global military tension.

Focus on Reopening the Strait of Hormuz to Curb Energy Costs

Prime Minister Starmer stated that the UK’s primary objective is to get the Strait of Hormuz fully reopened rather than enforced shut. Approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) transits through the waterway, which has been restricted by Iran since US-Israeli strikes commenced on February 28. Starmer noted that he is working with a "wide coalition of partners," including France, to ensure freedom of navigation and to resist illegal tolling, as reports suggest Iran is demanding $2 million in transit fees from tankers.