UK hosts virtual summit over Hormuz shipping crisis

Britain is set to convene a virtual summit on Thursday bringing together over 30 countries to tackle the growing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil and gas shipments. The talks, chaired by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, will focus on diplomatic and political measures to restore safe navigation through the waterway, which has become increasingly dangerous due to the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Leaders will also discuss how to protect merchant vessels and seafarers currently unable to transit the strait.

Who is attending and who is staying out

According to The Guardian, participants include European powers such as France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, alongside Australia, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, the UAE, and Nigeria. All are signatories to a recent joint statement pledging “readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts” to ensure safe passage. The United States, however, is not expected to join the summit. Organizers have instead focused on nations that signed the statement, along with other European allies and key maritime players.

Trump’s position and regional context

On Wednesday, President Trump said that if Washington halts its strikes on Tehran, other nations must shoulder the responsibility for reopening the strait. He has repeatedly criticized European allies for what he calls a lack of support. The US and Israel have maintained an air offensive on Iran since February 28, killing more than 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing infrastructure damage and disrupting global markets and aviation. For Türkiye, which relies on the Strait of Hormuz for a portion of its energy imports and maintains close trade ties with Gulf partners, any prolonged closure would have direct economic consequences. Ankara continues to urge diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation.