British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will travel to the Gulf on Wednesday for talks with regional leaders aimed at strengthening the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East conflict, Downing Street has announced.
In a statement on his X handle, Starmer welcomed the truce and stressed the need for sustained international efforts to prevent a relapse into hostilities.
“I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world.
“Together with our partners, we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and reopen the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
The diplomatic trip comes shortly after the United Kingdom convened a virtual meeting of military planners from more than 30 countries to assess how to secure the vital shipping route following the ceasefire.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the discussions focused on forming a multinational coalition to ensure safe and continuous access through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy supplies.
A separate UK-led virtual meeting involving about 40 countries last week had also centred on the security of the waterway, which has been largely inaccessible since fighting between the United States, Israel and Iran escalated on February 28.
The disruption has significantly affected global supplies of oil, liquefied natural gas and fertiliser, raising concerns about economic fallout worldwide.
Downing Street also disclosed that British forces have played a major defensive role during the conflict, with personnel intercepting more than 110 drone attacks.
The Royal Air Force, it added, has conducted over 1,600 hours of defensive missions in the region since hostilities began.
