Reuters
London, Updated At : 03:03 PM Apr 02, 2026 IST
Britain will host virtual talks on Thursday aimed at forming a coalition to explore ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after US President Donald Trump said securing the vital waterway was a problem for other nations to resolve.
British foreign minister Yvette Cooper will chair the meeting of about 35 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Canada and the United Arab Emirates, around midday in London to discuss restoring freedom of navigation. The United States is not due to attend.
Trump said in an address on Wednesday that the Strait could open “naturally” and that countries relying on the waterway should ensure it was open.
Iran has effectively shut the Strait, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil consumption, in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes that began in late February. Reopening the waterway has become a priority as energy prices have surged.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the meeting would assess “all viable diplomatic and political measures” to restore freedom of navigation in the area after a ceasefire has been reached.
European countries initially refused Trump’s request to send their navies because of fears of being drawn into the conflict. But concerns about the economic impact of rising energy costs have prompted them to try to form a coalition to explore reopening the waterway once a ceasefire is agreed, European officials said.
Thursday’s meeting will be the group’s first formal session before more detailed discussions with military planners in the coming weeks, officials added. One European official said the likely first phase would focus on clearing mines from the waterway, followed by a second phase to protect tankers crossing the area.
Starmer warned reopening the route would “not be easy” and would require “a united front of military strength and diplomatic activity” alongside cooperation with the shipping industry.
Trump also urged countries that use the Strait to “build up some delayed courage” and “just grab it. Just take it, protect it, use it for yourselves.”
