LONDON, APR 1: Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the United Kingdom has brought together 35 countries around a joint statement of intent to strengthen maritime security across the Gulf.
Addressing a press conference, Starmer said the Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor had met their counterparts in the G7, while the Defence Secretary had been in the Middle East engaging regional partners.
“The UK has now brought together 35 nations around our statement of intent to push as one for maritime security across the Gulf,” he said. “Later this week, the Foreign Secretary will host a meeting bringing those nations together for the first time, where we will assess all viable diplomatic and political measures that we can take to restore freedom of navigation, guarantee the safety of trapped ships and seafarers, and resume the movement of vital commodities.”
The initiative comes amid growing concerns over disruptions in key chokepoints and the impact on global energy and food supplies linked to the West Asia conflict.
