UK to make ‘wide-ranging military contribution’ to Hormuz mission, says diplomat

Britain will make “a wide-ranging military contribution” to an international mission to protect shipping in the vital Strait of Hormuz trade artery, the UK ambassador to the US has said.

The commitment by Sir Christian Turner comes amid long-running concerns over the state of the nation’s armed forces and warnings of under-funding.

Only this week, Labour former defence secretary and Nato chief Lord Robertson of Port Ellen accused his own Government of “corrosive complacency” in the face of “the bright red signals of danger”.

The multinational mission, led by the UK and France , aims to provide reassurance to vessels using the critical Gulf waterway once the Iran conflict is over, Sir Christian told an event in Washington.

The initiative was announced at talks in Paris involving nearly 50 countries, which the top diplomat said signalled global resolve to prevent tolls or restrictions being imposed on the shipping route, used to move one fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies.

So far around 12 nations have committed to take part in the mission.

The move has been derided by US president Donald Trump , who used it as a fresh opportunity to criticise Nato as “useless” after it refused to support his offensive against Iran.

In response, Sir Christian pointed out the mission was not being led by the military alliance.

He said the planned steps to safeguard future freedom of navigation would follow “seamlessly” on from the announcement by Iran that it had reopened the strait to shipping as part of the cessation of hostilities in the Middle East.

The US and Iran are in the middle of a fragile truce which is due to last until April 22, while Israel and Lebanon have begun a 10-day ceasefire.

Iran had effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz since the US-Israeli bombing campaign began at the end of February, forcing up energy and fuel prices around the world.

Referring to Friday’s meeting in Paris, Sir Christian said: “The very scale of that 49 country coalition, which included leaders from Africa, from Asia, South Korea, Japan, the scale and size of it shows the international resolve and willingness to act and to show Iran that it is isolated.

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“And the critical and key message is that there is global agreement that there can be no tolls or restriction on the passage of trade through those through those straits.

“And I’m pleased to say that the discussion, as well as reiterating that resolve was practically orientated.”
He added: “Military planning is under way, and it’s focusing on marshalling capabilities to provide reassurance to the shipping industry in the aftermath of the ceasefire that we hope is going to be cemented and confirmed.

“Specifically, the UK and France have agreed that they are establishing an independent, multinational mission.

“It will be defensive but protect merchant vessels, reassure commercial shipping operators and conduct mine clearance operations as soon as conditions permit.

“And there are 12 countries of today’s talks who have already offered capabilities for that mission.

“The UK itself, will be making a wide-ranging military contribution, and that will be confirmed and announced at a military planning conference, to in effect bring all of that together under a clear command and control structure, that will happen early next week.”
Hailing it as “a significant development, a strong signal of intent”, Sir Christian said: “It follows very seamlessly, I hope, from the very welcome… confirmation today that the straits are back open for traffic without restriction, and this, then hopefully, is a capability that can follow from that and ensure the freedom of navigation.”
However, the longevity of the ceasefire was thrown into jeopardy early on Saturday when Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf posted on X that if the US blockade continued “the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open”.

He added: “Although Nato was an observer of (the) talks, this is not a Nato mission, because it’s a mission we’re trying to stand up in the Strait of Hormuz.”
At the same time, Sir Christian also stressed the importance of Nato describing it as “the most successful and enduring defensive alliance in history”.

He said: “It’s not a question of us and them.

We’re all Nato.

It’s safeguarded Americans and Europeans for over 75 years.”