UK won't take part in Trump's planned blockade of Hormuz Strait

Source: msn/Bloomberg

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(Bloomberg) -- The UK will not take part in the proposed US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, setting up yet another point of contention between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the conflict in Iran. The British government said in a statement Sunday that it continued to call for freedom of navigation and the opening of the strait, following Trump’s announcement that the US would begin a full naval blockade of the strategic waterway that’s essential for global energy supplies.

“Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday. “Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL.”

Britain won’t be taking part in that blockade, people familiar with the government’s position said on condition of anonymity to speak freely about the proposed US operation. Discussing his plan to blockade the strait on Fox News, Trump said he understands that “the UK and a couple of other countries are sending minesweepers.”

The UK has discussed deploying autonomous mine-hunting drones in the strait if a viable plan emerges in conjunction with other allies to reopen it, with Starmer previously saying those systems were “in the region.” However, that is a separate proposal to Trump’s threat to blockade Hormuz.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/uk-won-t-take-part-in-trump-s-planned-blockade-of-hormuz-strait/ar-AA20IGVE