UK backs freedom of navigation but will not join any US-led move to shut down the world’s most sensitive oil shipping route

BRITAIN will not take part in Donald Trump’s threatened blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, despite the US president’s claim that other countries would join the operation.

The move came after Trump announced that American forces would begin stopping vessels attempting to enter or leave the narrow but strategically vital waterway, following the collapse of peace talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy choke points, has already been heavily disrupted in recent days after Iran tightened its grip on the passage in retaliation for the US-Israel war. The confrontation has sent oil and gas prices sharply higher and raised fears of a wider economic shock.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US military would begin “blockading any and all ships” trying to use the strait. He also warned that any vessel found to have paid a toll to Iran for passage would be targeted.

He wrote that the US Navy would “seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran”, adding that no ship making such payments would have safe passage.

Trump also claimed that “other countries will be involved with this blockade”, but it is understood the UK will not be among them.

A UK Government spokesperson said Britain continued to support freedom of navigation and wanted to see the strait reopened without further escalation.

The spokesperson said: “We continue to support freedom of navigation and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is urgently needed to support the global economy and the cost of living back home.

“The Strait of Hormuz must not be subject to tolling.

“We are urgently working with France and other partners to put together a wide coalition to protect freedom of navigation.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously called for “as many partners as possible” to be involved in securing a workable international response, while stressing the need to protect shipping rather than deepen the conflict.

Britain is expected to host a third round of international discussions on the crisis this week, following a virtual summit of more than 40 countries chaired by the Foreign Secretary, as well as a meeting of allied military figures.

Sir Keir has also said British mine-hunting systems are already deployed in the region.

Earlier on Sunday, the Prime Minister urged Washington and Tehran to find a diplomatic path forward after 21 hours of negotiations in Islamabad failed to produce an agreement, leaving the already fragile two-week ceasefire hanging by a thread.

In a Downing Street readout of Sir Keir’s call with the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik al Said, a spokeswoman said the two leaders agreed it was vital for the ceasefire to continue and for all sides to avoid further escalation.

Meanwhile, Trump stepped up his criticism of both Nato and Britain, accusing allies of failing to support offensive action against Iran and branding the military alliance “shameful”.

The US president also renewed his personal attacks on Sir Keir, once again likening him to Neville Chamberlain, the former prime minister associated with the policy of appeasement in the years before the Second World War.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump said Sir Keir’s position amounted to a weak response, mocking the Prime Minister’s stance that support should come after the fighting ends.

Trump also said the Pakistan talks, involving US vice-president JD Vance, had gone well on most issues, but claimed the central dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions remained unresolved.