UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer: UK Does Not Support US Blockade of Strait of Hormuz
On April 13, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that the United Kingdom does not support the United States' proposed blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the UK's primary objective is the reopening of the strait and the restoration of international shipping. This position was articulated following US President Donald Trump's April 12 social media announcement threatening a blockade and interdiction of vessels that paid passage fees to Iran, as well as the destruction of Iranian mines. Starmer highlighted the economic repercussions of a blockade, including increased oil and gas prices and higher energy bills, as a key factor in the UK's decision not to participate. A report by the UK's Resolution Foundation indicated that the Middle East conflict is expected to decrease the disposable income of median working-age UK households by £480 this year. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is scheduled to announce government measures to mitigate price pressures and has criticized Trump's Middle East policy for escalating UK borrowing costs and global economic instability.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 20:23
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 20:31 (8 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 13, 2026 at 21:20 (48 min after Collected)
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer officially stated on April 13 that the UK would not support the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the critical need to restore free international shipping through the vital waterway. Starmer indicated that the UK possesses mine-sweeping capabilities, which would be deployed to clear Iranian mines once hostilities cease. This announcement came after US President Donald Trump's April 12 declaration on social media, where he threatened to impose a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, targeting all vessels attempting to enter or exit that had paid passage fees to Iran, and vowed to destroy Iranian-laid mines. Despite Trump's assertion that other nations would join the blockade, Starmer explicitly confirmed the UK's non-participation, citing concerns over the economic impact, specifically the potential for increased oil and gas prices and rising energy bills if the strait remains closed. He also attributed the initial problem to Iran's actions in closing or partially closing the strait.
Concurrently, the Resolution Foundation, a UK think tank, released research on the conflict's impact on UK living standards. The study projects a £480 reduction in disposable income for median working-age UK households this year, a significant shift from a pre-war forecast of 0.9% income growth to a projected 0.6% decline, primarily due to escalating energy prices. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to unveil government support measures this week and will attend the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings. Reeves has openly criticized Trump's decision to initiate conflict in the Middle East, labeling it a war without a clear exit strategy and noting its contribution to soaring UK government borrowing costs and broader global economic challenges like inflation and slower growth. Starmer also voiced strong criticism of Trump's foreign policy on April 9, linking global actions to fluctuating energy bills for UK consumers.
Concurrently, the Resolution Foundation, a UK think tank, released research on the conflict's impact on UK living standards. The study projects a £480 reduction in disposable income for median working-age UK households this year, a significant shift from a pre-war forecast of 0.9% income growth to a projected 0.6% decline, primarily due to escalating energy prices. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to unveil government support measures this week and will attend the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings. Reeves has openly criticized Trump's decision to initiate conflict in the Middle East, labeling it a war without a clear exit strategy and noting its contribution to soaring UK government borrowing costs and broader global economic challenges like inflation and slower growth. Starmer also voiced strong criticism of Trump's foreign policy on April 9, linking global actions to fluctuating energy bills for UK consumers.