UK not supporting Trump’s planned Hormuz blockade, Starmer says

The UK will not take part in the proposed US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, setting up yet another point of contention between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the conflict in Iran.

“We’re not supporting the blockade,” Starmer told BBC Radio 5 Live on Monday. He said Britain’s diplomatic and political efforts, as well as its military capability — were all “focused from our point of view on getting the straits fully open.”

Starmer’s remarks highlight the latest policy rift between his Labour government in the UK and Trump’s US administration. His decision not to allow US bombers to use British bases in the initial attack on Iran — and to allow permit limited use subsequently — has attracted Trump’s ire, who has said the UK premier is no Winston Churchill.

The British government said in a statement Sunday that it continued to call for freedom of navigation and the opening of the strait, following Trump’s announcement that the US would begin a full naval blockade of the strategic waterway that’s essential for global energy supplies.

“Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday. “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL.”

Discussing his plan to blockade the strait on Fox News, Trump said he understands that “the UK and a couple of other countries are sending minesweepers.”

The UK has discussed deploying autonomous mine-hunting drones in the strait if a viable plan emerges in conjunction with other allies to reopen it, with Starmer previously saying those systems were “in the region.” However, that is a separate proposal to Trump’s threat to blockade Hormuz.

Representatives from Britain and a coalition of other countries will take part in another meeting in the coming days to discuss a plan to open the waterway. Nonetheless, many of the countries taking part in those talks are unwilling to commit naval assets until a lasting peace agreement is reached. Most do not see opening the strait by military means as a workable option.

“My decision has been very clearly that whatever the pressure, and there’s been some considerable pressure, we’re not getting dragged into the war,” Starmer said. “We must hold on to British values and British principles.”

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