LONDON: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has rejected a request by US President Donald Trump for military assistance to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
According to a report by a British newspaper, Starmer conveyed to the US president that the United Kingdom was not prepared at this stage to participate in the mission. The report added that London had also declined to deploy naval warships to the waterway.
Commenting on the situation, UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the government was assessing alternative measures that could help reopen the strait.
He clarified that Britain was currently not in favour of sending warships, but ministers were considering the possibility of deploying mine-detection drones to help locate explosives in the sea.
Australia also declines request
Meanwhile, Australia has also rejected Washington’s request to send naval vessels to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Australian Transport Minister Catherine King said in a statement that Canberra would not dispatch warships to the region.
She assured the public that fuel supplies in Australia remain stable, adding that tankers already en route to the country were expected to arrive according to schedule.
King also expressed concern about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, warning that a prolonged war could have far-reaching consequences not only for Australia but for the wider Asia-Pacific region’s economy and security.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital global shipping route, carrying around one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies, making its security a major concern for international markets.