Starmer travels to Gulf after US-Iran ceasefire agreement

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is travelling to the Middle East on April 8 following the United States and Iran agreeing overnight to a two-week ceasefire aimed at easing regional tensions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil and gas shipments.

Starmer is flying to the Gulf, where he will meet Royal Air Force crews involved in protecting allied airspace before addressing British troops stationed in the region. According to Downing Street, his first engagement will be to “thank the UK and local personnel who have bravely put their lives at risk in the defence of our people," Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

The ceasefire is intended to facilitate the restoration of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, after hostilities disrupted maritime traffic and heightened fears of wider instability.

In his first public comments on the ceasefire deal, Starmer said: “I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world.

“Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and re-open the Strait of Hormuz.”

During the visit, the prime minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with “Gulf partners” and “regional leaders,” although officials have not yet confirmed the identities of his counterparts. Downing Street said the talks would focus on “practical efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”

The trip follows a virtual summit convened last week by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who met representatives from more than 40 nations to discuss coordinated plans to reopen the strategic waterway.

Officials said Starmer’s visit had been scheduled prior to the announcement of the ceasefire agreement.

By Sabina Mammadli