Sir Keir Starmer has had a phone call with Donald Trump after the US President urged the UK to send warships to Iran on Saturday.
On the call on Sunday, the two leaders spoke about “the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to end the disruption to global shipping, which is driving up costs worldwide”, Downing Street said.
This comes after the US President called on the UK to send naval power to the Strait of Hormuz in a bid to secure the critical sea passage.
Sir Keir also spoke to the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, discussing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a Downing Street spokesman has confirmed.
This is the first conversation between Sir Keir and Mr Trump since the US urged Britain to send warships to protect the critical shipping lane.
Iran’s hostile approach to oil tankers travelling through the narrow passage has pushed up global energy prices and sparked concerns across the globe about wider disruptions to international shipping
The impact is being felt at home in the UK, where ministers are considering measures to ease the pressure on households facing rising energy costs.
Mr Trump appealed to allies on Saturday, including the UK, to secure and protect the waterway by establishing a united naval presence in the region.
President Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday calling on allies to send their warships to protect the Strait of Hormuz
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He wrote on Truth Social: “Many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe.
“We have already destroyed 100% of Iran’s Military capability, but it’s easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine, or deliver a close range missile somewhere along, or in, this Waterway, no matter how badly defeated they are.
“Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated.”
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the two leaders spoke on Sunday about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the priority to reopen the shipping route.
The Prime Minister also gave his condolences for the American service personnel who lost their lives in the conflict, the spokeswoman added.
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