UK prime minister Starmer and Trump discuss practical plan for Strait of Hormuz

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated on Friday, April 10 that he discussed military capabilities and the logistics of escorting vessels through the Strait of Hormuz during a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump a day earlier.

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The discussion focused on establishing a practical plan to restore shipping through the strategic waterway following a fragile ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. Speaking during his visit to the Gulf, Starmer emphasized the need for a coordinated international response to ensure freedom of navigation.

Starmer revealed that the UK has been assembling a coalition of countries to develop both diplomatic and military strategies for the region. The primary focus of the talks with President Trump was the logistics of moving commercial vessels safely through the Strait, which remains at a virtual standstill despite the announced cessation of hostilities.

“We’ve been pulling together a coalition of countries… working on a political, diplomatic plan, but also looking at military capabilities and the logistics of actually moving vessels through the Strait,” Starmer said. “That was the focus of the discussion last night, a focus on a practical plan in relation to navigation.”

The Prime Minister’s Gulf tour, which included stops in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar, aimed to consolidate the two-week ceasefire. Starmer noted that while an agreement to open the Strait is part of the ceasefire terms, the current situation remains “fragile.”

President Trump has recently warned Iran against charging fees or tolls for passage through the waterway, asserting on social media that oil must start flowing again immediately. Starmer echoed the stance that the Strait must remain open for “toll-free navigation” to stabilize global energy prices.

When asked if the conversation touched upon U.S. rhetoric regarding NATO, Starmer did not provide a direct answer but reaffirmed the importance of the alliance. He described NATO as a “defensive alliance which, for decades, has kept us much safer than we would otherwise have been,” stating that its preservation is in the interest of both Europe and the United States.

The UK recently hosted military planners from over 40 countries to coordinate the protection of shipping routes. As the two-week ceasefire window continues, both London and Washington have agreed to remain in close contact to move toward a lasting resolution in the region.