Cooper: Iran to face ‘every diplomatic, economic measure’ over Strait of Hormuz

A coalition of countries will use “every possible diplomatic, economic and co-ordinated measure” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Foreign Secretary has said, after convening talks on “reckless” Iranian attacks on the vital oil shipping lane.

Yvette Cooper said that could include “working with the International Maritime Organisation to ensure that the first stranded ships can get moving again” as 2,000 remain trapped.

Tehran has throttled the channel in retaliation for the month-long US-Israeli campaign against it, causing global oil prices to soar.

In the face of US President Donald Trump’s repeated criticism of allies over their refusal to take part in his offensive against Tehran, Ms Cooper said that “our job is to take decisions in the UK national interest”.

Britain is seeking to lead a diplomatic initiative, including countries such as France, Germany and some Gulf nations, after Mr Trump signalled it was up to others to unblock the waterway not relied upon by the US.

After chairing a video call with counterparts and representatives from more than 40 countries, Ms Cooper told broadcasters on Thursday: “We’ve taken a different view from the US from early on and we didn’t get drawn into offensive action in the Middle East, because we thought that there were real concerns about escalation risks, impact – including on the economy – and also the need for a proper plan.”

She said co-ordinated action was needed as Iran’s “reckless strikes” on international shipping and efforts to “hijack the global economy” were hitting nations “from across the globe who played no part in this conflict”.

“That’s affecting petrol prices and mortgage rates here in the UK, but also jet fuel across the world, fertiliser to Africa, and also gas to Asia.

“So countries across the world being impacted, and that’s why we’re so determined to see every possible diplomatic, economic and co-ordinated measure to get the strait reopened.”

Ms Cooper evaded a question on whether Washington was still an ally, saying: “We want to see the conflict resolved, concluded, as rapidly as possible, because, frankly, that’s what’s best for the cost of living here in the UK.”

She continued: “And look, our job is to take decisions in the UK national interest. That’s what this Government will do, not based on any other country’s priority or anything in terms of the US or other countries, but actually what’s in the UK’s national interest.”

She said the response to Iranian attacks on the maritime pinch point would include working with the International Maritime Organisation, responsible for regulating international shipping safety.

There have been more than 25 attacks on vessels in the strait, Ms Cooper told the virtual meeting earlier, with “some 20,000 trapped seafarers on some 2,000 trapped ships”.

Another meeting next Tuesday of military planners will consider how to “keep shipping safe for the long term”, Ms Cooper said, including looking at issues such as clearing mines that have possibly been laid by Tehran to sink ships in the sea passage.

It will be convened by Britain’s Permanent Joint Headquarters, based in Northwood, north-west London, but some international leaders are expected to join virtually.

Mr Trump, in an address to the US people on Wednesday, said countries that rely on the strait should “build up some delayed courage” and “just grab it”, and suggested that after the Iran conflict was over, the critical waterway would “just open up naturally”.

But Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said that unblocking the lane will “not be easy”.

French President Emmanuel Macron went further on Thursday, telling journalists that it was “unrealistic” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force.