‘Fed up’ Starmer outlines ‘next stage’ with US after Trump blasts ‘dishonourable’ Iran | World | News
Sir Keir Starmer has urged Donald Trump to agree on a “practical plan” to resume traffic through the Strait of Hormuz in the wake of the Middle East ceasefire. Ahead of crucial peace talks held in Pakistan this weekend, the Prime Minister phoned the US president from Qatar on Thursday and discussed how to get shipping moving again as quickly as possible.
Only a handful of vessels have left the Strait of Hormuz since Washington and Tehran announced a two-week pause in fighting on Tuesday, suggesting the agreement to resolve the worst energy crisis in history has not yet fully taken effect.
The Strait of Hormuz usually handles 120-140 transits a day, carrying about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies. Just five vessels crossed the strait on Wednesday, down from 11 the previous day, and seven transited on Thursday, according to data from market intelligence firm Kpler.
Reacting to the events, Trump claimed “Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonourable some would say, of allowing oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz” and that this “is not the agreement we have!”
The US president also said he would “audit” Britain and other NATO allies over what he views as insufficient support for the agreement’s implementation. His administration suggested it could reconsider the deployment of US forces in certain countries. Reacting to the threats, Sir Keir said European allies “need to do more” so that there is a “stronger European element to NATO”.
But the Prime Minister declared he’s had enough of British families having to suffer from the consequences of the conflict, likening Trump to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
He told ITV: “I’m fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy, businesses’ bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump.”
Responding to the Prime Minister’s comments, Conservative Chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: “Keir Starmer says he wants resilience and energy security. So why is he banning North Sea drilling and ducking welfare reform?
“You cannot build a resilient economy by turning your back on British oil and gas workers, handing energy dependence to foreign states, and leaving millions trapped on benefits rather than in work.”
It comes as Sir Keir wrapped up his three-day trip to the Gulf to meet regional allies and discuss a way forward amid fragile peace negotiations.
On Wednesday, Israel launched one of the deadliest strikes on Lebanon in decades, killing more than 300 people and wounding 1,165, according to an initial count by Lebanon’s civil defence. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has continued launching rockets across the border and targeting Israeli troops operating inside Lebanese territory. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there is “no ceasefire in Lebanon” and Israel would continue “to strike Hezbollah with full force”, even though Trump asked Netanyahu to be more “low-key” in Lebanon.
Despite the ceasefire looking increasingly precarious, Pakistan is set to host historic negotiations between Iran and the US this weekend. As part of the ceasefire agreement, both sides also committed to holding talks in Islamabad aimed at securing a lasting peace deal, a move widely viewed as a significant diplomatic success for Pakistan.
The first round of discussions is due to take place on Saturday, with security ramped up across the capital.
One Pakistani official said: “Our priority is that the talks go smoothly. We don’t want to be seen as a spoiler. Our role is as a facilitator and mediator.”
The conflict, which began when Israel and the US attacked Iran in late February, has left thousands dead and caused global economic devastation. Iran’s retaliatory blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has led to a global shortage of oil and gas.
