Cooper to warn of dangerous precedent of any Iranian tolls in Strait of Hormuz

Yvette Cooper will discuss opening the Strait of Hormuz and warn that Iranian tolls would set a dangerous precedent for global shipping lanes in talks with her Japanese counterpart.

The Foreign Secretary was travelling to Japan on Sunday on the final leg of a diplomatic offensive ahead of the US–Iran ceasefire expiring on Tuesday.

The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping lane, through which a fifth of the world’s oil normally flows, has been closed by Iran as a response to America and Israel’s strikes.

In retaliation, US President Donald Trump has begun his own blockade of Iran’s oil ports, aimed at stemming Tehran’s fossil fuel income.

In Tokyo, Ms Cooper is expected to focus on UK–Japan co-operation amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, including energy security and supply chain resilience.

At the 10th UK–Japan Strategic Dialogue with foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi, she will discuss opening the strait and dangerous precedents set for shipping lanes across the world if tolls are introduced by Iran.

On Friday, Iran said vessels could transit the strait in co-ordination with it, provided they paid a toll.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump has said US negotiators will head to Pakistan on Monday for talks with Iran, raising hopes of extending the ceasefire.

Iranian officials have said they remain open to negotiation but insist ships will not pass through the Strait of Hormuz while the US blockade remains in place.

Mr Trump, announcing further talks, accused Iran of violating a ceasefire by targeting ships near the strait and threatened to destroy Iranian civilian infrastructure if Tehran rejects a US deal.

On Friday, Sir Keir Starmer said that the UK and France will lead a peaceful mission to protect freedom of navigation in the strait.

The Prime Minister said the mission would be put in place as soon as conditions allow, once hostilities in the Iran war are over.

It came as Sir Keir and French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a meeting of world leaders in Paris on efforts to safeguard the flow of shipping.

But Mr Trump has belittled the efforts of Nato nations, saying the transatlantic allies had been “useless when needed” and were only getting involved now the situation was over.