London — UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the Middle East war is not Britain’s to fight and pledged the country will resist being drawn into broader conflict while preparing to emerge more secure. He said the fight will have consequences for the UK, but stressed the government has a plan to protect national interests and respond to public concerns such as energy bills.
Starmer called for de-escalation and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, saying the key issue is safety and the security of passage, not insurance costs. He announced that Britain has gathered 35 countries behind a statement of intent to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf and will host a meeting of those nations. Military planners will be consulted to assess how transit through the strait can be made safer, he added, acknowledging the task will be difficult.
‘The challenge is not of insurance but of safety and security of passage,’ Starmer said, calling for a united front and calm, clear leadership. He framed his approach around the British national interest and emphasized the government’s responsibility to address worries about family safety and rising energy prices.
The remarks come amid widening global energy disruption linked to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for world oil shipments. In a separate, widely publicized post on Truth Social, former US President Donald Trump urged countries facing jet fuel shortages to buy from the United States and controversially suggested allies should seize control of the strait themselves, saying the US would not necessarily intervene as before.
Starmer’s address signals a focus on diplomatic and multilateral measures to restore safe passage through the Gulf while avoiding direct military entanglement.
