London, April 8 British Prime Minister Keir Starmer begins a visit to the Gulf region on Wednesday to discuss diplomatic efforts to support and uphold the ceasefire agreed between the US and Iran overnight.
Downing Street said his visit to the Middle East is aimed at achieving a lasting resolution to the conflict and protecting the UK and the global economy from further threats.
Starmer is set to reiterate the UK’s commitment to de-escalation and hold further discussions on practical efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, following what his office referred to as “promising progress” as a result of the ceasefire.
“I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world,” said Starmer.
“Together with our partners, we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
The US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire after nearly six weeks of military hostilities. US President Donald Trump made the dramatic announcement on Truth Social on Tuesday evening (US time) 90 minutes before his deadline to eliminate the civilization was to end.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also welcomed the two-week ceasefire and hailed Pakistan’s role in the negotiations.
“This is a vital step towards establishing some security and stability in the region and getting international shipping and the global economy moving properly again.
“I also welcome the proposed talks between the US and Iran scheduled for later this week and thank Pakistan and all those involved for their continued work on the negotiations,” Cooper said in a statement.
“We will continue to work with the shipping, insurance and energy sectors to restore confidence in the route as quickly as possible. Iran must cease all mining, drone attacks, and other attempts to block commercial shipping in the Strait immediately.
“It is vital that the proposed talks lead to a full end to the conflict and ensure that Iran does not continue to threaten the strait or its neighbours. I also call for an urgent end to hostilities in Lebanon,” she said.
Starmer’s three-day tour of the Gulf – details of which are yet to be released – follows the UK-convened meeting last week of more than 40 countries, including India, to begin work on a viable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz when the fighting subsides.
A follow-up military planning meeting was hosted by the UK's Permanent Joint Headquarters on Tuesday to further advance that work.
Work will now continue at pace in light of the ceasefire and the prime minister is expected to discuss this further in meetings with leaders in the region, 10 Downing Street said.
During his visit to the Gulf, Starmer is set to review the defensive support the UK has provided in the collective self-defence of UK allies and express gratitude to British personnel for “brave service”.
“The Prime Minister’s first stop will be to thank the UK and local personnel who have bravely put their lives at risk in the defence of our people, our interests and those of our allies,” the UK PM’s office stated.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that UK personnel have intercepted more than 110 drone attacks in the region, and the Royal Air Force (RAF) have conducted more than 1,600 hours of defensive operations.
“The Prime Minister will also pay tribute to the work of our partners in the Gulf, whose armed forces have protected the hundreds of thousands of UK nationals living in the region in the face of Iran’s brutal aggression,” Downing Street added.
The blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route, has caused worldwide chaos due to a spike in crude oil prices and knock-on cost of living crises since the US-Israeli strikes began on February 28 followed by retaliation by Iran that extended the war to the entire Gulf region.