Shafaq News- London

Disruptions to global shipping are driving up energy costs and threatening supply chains worldwide, the UK’s foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, warned on Thursday during a summit with more than 40 countries to coordinate diplomatic and economic pressure on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The discussions, which did not include the United States, brought together the UK, France, Germany, Australia, and several Gulf nations to explore mechanisms for reopening the waterway and stabilizing global trade flows.

After chairing the virtual summit, Cooper noted that coordinated action was necessary in response to what she described as Iranian strikes on international shipping and attempts to “hijack the global economy.”

“That’s affecting petrol prices and mortgage rates here in the UK, but also jet fuel across the world, fertiliser to Africa, and also gas to Asia,” she explained, emphasizing the urgency of restoring access to the strategic maritime route.

According to The Guardian, officials examined ways to expand international pressure by engaging countries in the Global South, aiming to ensure Iran does not benefit economically from the closure. Participants further reviewed contingency measures under consideration at the United Nations, including the potential establishment of a humanitarian shipping corridor to allow critical goods such as fertilisers to reach vulnerable regions and mitigate food security risks.

Separately, military planners are expected to meet next week to assess options for clearing sea mines and assisting vessels stranded in the strait. The talks will be hosted by the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, with some international participants joining remotely, as efforts intensify to restore safe navigation through one of the world’s most vital energy corridors.

Earlier this week, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, called on the armed forces to keep Hormuz strait closed.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital energy corridor, historically carrying about one-fifth of the world’s oil before the outbreak of war in Iran. The passage was closed to commercial vessels on March 2.

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