Cooper to urge full and toll-free reopening of Strait of Hormuz

Cooper to Advocate Unrestricted Reopening of Hormuz Strait

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to push for the complete and unrestricted reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, following warnings from Iran’s naval forces that vessels without prior authorization risked attack. The Iranian navy had earlier cautioned ships in the Gulf, creating uncertainty about whether tolls would be imposed on those passing through the strategic waterway.

In her annual address on foreign policy, Cooper will also highlight the need for Lebanon to be incorporated into the ceasefire pact between the US and Israel. She will stress that international waterways should not be subject to tolls, arguing that such measures disrupt global trade and impose unnecessary burdens on shipping. Cooper’s remarks come as Sir Keir Starmer, the UK’s leader, concludes his visit to Abu Dhabi, where he has engaged with Gulf leaders amid growing concerns about the stability of the ceasefire.

Starmer’s Regional Engagement

Starmer’s two-day trip to the Gulf has included meetings with key figures, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders emphasized the importance of achieving a lasting peace. Cooper’s speech later that day will address the far-reaching economic consequences of the conflict, noting its impact on food and fuel prices in the UK despite the country’s geographical distance from the region.

“The deliberate blocking of this critical artery of the global economy is affecting British citizens,” Cooper will say. “No nation should close these routes, as it contradicts the core principles of international maritime law.”

The foreign secretary will also visit the International Maritime Organization on Thursday to endorse its efforts in assisting ships and seafarers stuck in the strait. She will reiterate that the full, unconditional re-opening of Hormuz must be a priority for both the current ceasefire and the region’s long-term security.

Global Implications and Strategic Concerns

Cooper will reference a UK-led meeting last week, where over 40 countries agreed on the necessity of ending the war to restore the strait’s flow. She will argue that Iran has used the conflict to seize control of the route, effectively holding the global economy captive. This assertion follows Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels, which have disrupted oil exports and spiked fuel costs worldwide.

“The war has touched every corner of the world, from rising prices in the UK to the broader economic fallout,” Cooper is expected to state.

The US has accused its allies of not adequately supporting the security of the strait or its military actions, prompting nations like the UK to evaluate their roles. Trump’s recent comments, before the ceasefire announcement, underscored the need for other countries to demonstrate courage in reopening the waterway. Cooper’s call for toll-free passage aims to address both immediate and long-term challenges to international commerce.