British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday that whatever the pressure, Britain would not be dragged into the Iran war nor join the United States in its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
“Whatever the pressure, Britain would not be dragged into the Iran war,” Starmer told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“We’re not supporting the blockade,” he said, adding that it was vital to get the strait reopened.
“It is, in my view, vital that we get the strait open and fully open, and that’s where we’ve put all of our efforts in the last few days and we’ll continue to do so.”
Britain has minesweepers in the region, Starmer confirmed. While he could not discuss operational matters, he said the military capability was “focused from our point of view on getting the strait fully open.”
The prime minister’s comments mark a clear divergence from Washington, where President Donald Trump has taken an increasingly aggressive stance against Tehran.
Trump’s Blockade Begins
The United States military announced it would begin a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas on Monday, after weekend talks in Pakistan failed to reach a deal to end the war with Iran.
The US Central Command said the blockade, starting at 10am ET on Monday, would be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.”
Vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports will not be impeded, the US military said.
Trump went further on Sunday, saying US forces would intercept every vessel in international waters that had paid a toll to Iran.
“No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” Trump wrote on social media. “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL!”
A Clear Red Line From London
Starmer’s refusal to back the US blockade is significant. Britain has supported the United States throughout the Iran conflict — deploying warships to the region, coordinating sanctions, and providing diplomatic backing.
But the prime minister is now drawing a clear red line. Britain will not join a blockade of Iranian ports. Britain will not be dragged into a wider war.
The Strait of Hormuz is a choke point for about 20 percent of global energy supplies. For the United Kingdom, which relies on stable energy markets and free maritime trade, any prolonged disruption would be deeply damaging.
Starmer is betting that keeping the strait open is more important than keeping Washington happy. Whether that strains the “special relationship” between London and Washington remains to be seen.
What Happens Next
| Event | Status |
| US blockade of Iranian ports | Began Monday |
| UK minesweepers in region | Focused on keeping strait open |
| US-Iran ceasefire | Fragile, at risk |
| Diplomatic talks | Unclear if or when they will resume |
For now, the United States and the United Kingdom are pursuing different strategies. Washington is tightening the screws on Tehran. London is trying to keep the oil flowing.
Sources: Reuters,
