British envoy: UK and partners discussing plan to open Hormuz, pushing ‘swift resolution’ to Iran war

British Ambassador to Israel Simon Walters says the United Kingdom is discussing with global partners “a viable plan” to secure maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, following reports that London plans to lead a coalition for reopening the strait amid Iran’s efforts to block it.

The UK is “working closely with international partners to develop a viable plan to safeguard international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” Walters tells Israeli reporters in Tel Aviv.

The UK’s Royal Navy plans to lead a “Hormuz Coalition” to reopen the key strait, The Times reported yesterday, citing British officials. London has also offered to host a summit for over 30 nations that signed a joint statement offering “appropriate efforts” to ensure shipping, Politico reported.

The ambassador does not address the reports or add further details about the UK’s plans.

London “will keep working towards a swift resolution that brings security and stability back to the region, stops the Iranian threat to its neighbors, and their efforts to hijack the global economy,” Walters says.

He highlights the British military’s defensive operations “over the Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean” during the ongoing campaign against Iran.

“The UK now has more fighter jets in the region than at any period in the past 15 years,” he says, adding that Royal Air Force pilots “have conducted nearly 1,000 flying hours since the start of the war, shooting down Iranian drones in defense of our allies and partners.”

“Iran’s reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies,” the ambassador says.