British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that his country will not join the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz announced by United States President Donald Trump, a move that has also drawn criticism from other US allies. Starmer told BBC radio: "We are not supporting the blockade," adding that the United Kingdom "is not getting dragged in" to the US-Israel war on Iran.

Starmer emphasized the vital importance of reopening the strait. In peacetime, approximately 20 percent of the world's oil supplies pass through this strategic waterway linking the Gulf to the Indian Ocean. He said: "It is in my view vital that we get the strait open and fully open, and that's where we've put all of our efforts in the last few weeks, and we'll continue to do so."

Al Jazeera's Rory Challands, reporting from London, noted that Starmer has continued to "maintain a delicate balancing act" by stating the UK will not join the war while carefully avoiding direct criticism of Trump regarding his actions in the conflict. Traffic through the strait has been heavily restricted since the war began, with Iran allowing only some vessels serving friendly countries, such as China.

Starmer's statement came as the US military announced it would block all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports starting from 14:00 GMT. However, it remains unclear how the US military will enforce the blockade. The US Central Command said: "The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman."

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France and the UK will hold a conference in the coming days aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait. Macron reiterated that no diplomatic effort should be spared in reaching a lasting end to the US-Israel war on Iran. Other US allies, including Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles, criticized Trump's move, calling the planned naval blockade "makes no sense." NATO ally Turkey stated that the Strait of Hormuz should open "as soon as possible."

Source: www.aljazeera.com