The United Kingdom will not be dragged into war in the Middle East, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a press conference on Wednesday.
“This is not our war. We will not be drawn into the conflict,” Starmer said.
Instead, Starmer said the UK will be “exploring each and every diplomatic avenue” in order to push for de-escalation and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The UK has now brought together 35 nations “with intent to push, as one, for maritime security across the Gulf,” Starmer added.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will be hosting all 35 nations later in the week, Starmer announced.
G7 foreign ministers discuss importance of Strait of Hormuz
Cooper met with her counterparts in the G7 last week, in which the Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US discussed the situation in the Middle East and called for the “immediate cessation of attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructures.”
The ministers also focused on mitigating the effects on global economies and reiterated the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to a joint statement released by Cooper's office.
The UK will convene military planners to discuss how to marshal capabilities to make the Strait accessible and safe, Starmer said after the meeting later this week, adding that it would “not be easy.”
Starmer called for a “united front of military strength and diplomatic activity,” and reaffirmed his commitment to put British interests first.
Five point plan
Starmer announced a five-point plan to alleviate the effects of the conflict on UK residents, cutting energy bills, extending the fuel duty cut, and setting aside £53 million to support those exposed to rising oil prices.
Additionally, Starmer said investing in British clean energy was “the only way we get your bills off the rollercoaster that is controlled by Putin and the Iranian regime.”