Starmer, Trump Discuss Middle East Crisis and Strait of Hormuz Shipping Disruption

London, March 2026 : British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump to discuss the escalating situation in the Middle East and the disruption to global shipping following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to a statement issued by 10 Downing Street, the two leaders spoke on Sunday evening and emphasized the importance of restoring normal shipping operations through the vital maritime route. The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, with around one-fifth of global oil supplies passing through it.

During the conversation, Starmer highlighted the need to reopen the waterway as soon as possible to stabilize global shipping routes and ease the growing economic pressure caused by disruptions in energy supplies. Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact and coordinate closely as the situation in the region continues to evolve.

Earlier on Sunday, UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East was significantly affecting the global economy. He stated that ending the conflict would be the most effective and lasting way to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Miliband noted that the recent surge in oil and gas prices was directly linked to the closure of the strategic waterway. He added that the United Kingdom is working with its international partners and allies to find ways to reopen the passage and ensure the free flow of global energy supplies.

Meanwhile, President Trump said on social media on Saturday that “many countries” were preparing to send warships to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open. However, he did not provide further details about which nations might participate or how such efforts would be coordinated.

The tensions in the region escalated after Israel and the United States launched joint strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities on February 28. The attacks reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with senior military commanders and more than 1,300 civilians.

In response, Iran carried out waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli and US military bases and assets across the Middle East. As the conflict enters its third week, the disruption caused by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz is increasingly affecting global energy markets and international trade.

In his first public message after assuming leadership, Mojtaba Khamenei pledged to maintain strategic leverage over the Strait of Hormuz, signalling that tensions surrounding the crucial shipping route may continue for the foreseeable future.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)