The United Kingdom and more than 40 partner nations are considering sanctions and other diplomatic steps aimed at pushing Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.

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Speaking after a virtual summit on Thursday, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said participants agreed to explore coordinated economic pressure if the strait remains blocked. The meeting marked the opening phase of an effort to build an international coalition capable of restoring security along the Gulf waterway.

Coalition talks focus on diplomatic pressure

Cooper said Iran had effectively seized control of the shipping lane and was using it to pressure the global economy.

“Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz is a direct threat to global prosperity,” she said. She added that participating countries demanded the “immediate and unconditional reopening” of the route and urged respect for international maritime law and freedom of navigation.

The United States did not take part in the discussions.

Sanctions and UN pressure under review

Cooper said the talks focused on diplomatic and economic measures rather than military action. Governments involved are considering increased pressure through the United Nations as well as the possibility of new sanctions if Iran keeps the strait closed.

Participants also discussed working with the International Maritime Organization to help stranded vessels resume movement once conditions allow.

The strait, located between Iran and Oman, serves as one of the world’s most important energy transit routes. Around 20% of global oil and gas shipments pass through the narrow channel linking the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.

Iran has targeted several ships in recent weeks in response to military action against it by the United States and Israel. The attacks have disrupted energy exports and contributed to a sharp rise in fuel prices worldwide.

Trump urges allies to act

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that other nations should take responsibility for reopening the route. He criticised allies for failing to act earlier.

“Allies should have done it,” Trump said, urging them to move into the waterway and secure it themselves.

Washington has repeatedly accused partners of doing too little to protect shipping lanes or support US military operations. The comments highlight divisions over how far allies should go to confront Iran while avoiding escalation in the broader conflict.

Cooper said Britain’s decisions would reflect national interests rather than the priorities of other countries.

France warns against military option

French President Emmanuel Macron said military intervention was unlikely to reopen the strait.

Speaking during a visit to South Korea, Macron said the route could only reopen through negotiations with Iran. He stressed that a ceasefire and renewed talks would be necessary to restore maritime traffic.

London has not published a full list of countries attending the summit. Governments previously backing a joint statement condemning Iranian attacks on commercial shipping were expected to join, including France, Germany, Japan, Australia and several Gulf states.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that the UK was exploring every diplomatic channel available to restore access to the waterway. He added that military planners would assess options for securing the route once fighting subsides.

The disruption has already driven energy prices sharply higher. Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil, has risen from about $73 per barrel to more than $100 in recent weeks.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 3 April 2026

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Typical weak response from that uk simp

I’d be embarrassed if he was leading my country

1. Sanctions are not diplomacy.

2. Israeli-US attack amidst successfully proceeding negotiations provoked Iranian response. That tells you where to apply sanctions, if you must.

3. The U.K. is not neutral in this conflict. Sanctions on Iran can be seen as part of their war-effort.

4. Starmer must try harder if he is aiming to be rewarded with empty flattery from Trump.

The smart move would be for Iran to negotiate with Oman and the UAE to place the straights under their three nation control, then share toll revenues.

Shipping passes like it does through Suez and Panama, no need for war, no need for Israeli/US interference.

In addition, three nation management would be protection from Israeli aggression. Such a partnership would be a giant step forward for peace in the Middle East.

Threatening Iran with yet another round of sanctions simply ignores the wider context of how this crisis developed. Years of US and Israeli military actions, covert strikes, and economic pressure have repeatedly destabilised the region.

As is the case with Russia, piling on more sanctions doesn’t resolve anything.

Unless the focus shifts toward ending the broader conflict, these punitive measures will only deepen the cycle of retaliation and keep the region, and the rest of the world locked in crisis.

UK and their 40 nation allies must demonstrate to Iran that they have the influence to change the behavior of US and Israel. They must first condemn the unprovoked attack by USA and Israel. If they can't do that, Iran will not see them as a solution but rather as abetting USA and Israel to force an outcome.

Many people have claimed that the UK boasts a remarkably strong Navy these days. Is that actually the case?

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

UK and their 40 nation allies must demonstrate to Iran that they have the influence to change the behavior of US and Israel. They must first condemn the unprovoked attack by USA and Israel. If they can't do that, Iran will not see them as a solution but rather as abetting USA and Israel to force an outcome.

We must unite in support of the Mullahs and advocate for their GOD given right to rule over Iran. Standing with them is not only a moral obligation but also a step towards a brighter future.

We all stand with Iran.

How disappointed I am.

I opened this thread as I thought it was about sanctions on the aggressor, meaning the US and Israel.

So what result they think it will have to put sanctions on a country that is already sanctioned to the brim?

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The United Kingdom and more than 40 partner nations are considering sanctions and other diplomatic steps aimed at pushing Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.

That's hysterical. Like the sanctions on Russia, there are so many sanctions of Iran already that more don't accomplish anything. Sanction Iran and get put on "The Enemies Of Iran" list. Then good luck having any of your ships transiting the Gulf. But what the hay - go for it. Find out!

36 minutes ago, connda said:

Then good luck having any of your ships transiting the Gulf. But what the hay - go for it. Find out!

They are a glutton for punishment and love to cut their noses off to spite their face

proven yet again with this farcical idea.

1 hour ago, nick supreme said:

We must unite in support of the Mullahs and advocate for their GOD given right to rule over Iran. Standing with them is not only a moral obligation but also a step towards a brighter future.

We all stand with Iran.

It is up to the Iranians to decide who has the right to rule over Iran. They have demonstrated that they can overcome brutal oppression to rise up and topple the Shah. US has a history of subverting, shape, subordinating sovereign countries and in Trump's case use the military might to force regime change to serve its strategic and economic interests. We stand with Iran to decide its own future; not coerced by USA or Israel.

7 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The smart move would be for Iran to negotiate with Oman and the UAE to place the straights under their three nation control, then share toll revenues.

Shipping passes like it does through Suez and Panama, no need for war, no need for Israeli/US interference.

7 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

In addition, three nation management would be protection from Israeli aggression. Such a partnership would be a giant step forward for peace in the Middle East.

However, if Oman and Iran negotiate terms for transit through the Strait, even if the UAE is involved, I guarantee that the US and Israel will literally blow the region up in order to project US power and dominance in the Gulf before allowing "the little countries" to manage the Straits themselves. Israel will not be satisfied until Iran is in a permanent state of chaos like Libya, Syria, and post US Iraq, and the US won't be satisfied until they have a proxy government in place and control Iran's oil. And if they can't do that - then they'll nuke Iran and literally blow the entire region apart.

UK sanctions? Meaningless.

7 hours ago, nick supreme said:

Many people have claimed that the UK boasts a remarkably strong Navy these days. Is that actually the case?

The Shocking State of Britain's Navy 2026

10 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

Threatening Iran with yet another round of sanctions simply ignores the wider context of how this crisis developed. Years of US and Israeli military actions, covert strikes, and economic pressure have repeatedly destabilised the region.

As is the case with Russia, piling on more sanctions doesn’t resolve anything.

Unless the focus shifts toward ending the broader conflict, these punitive measures will only deepen the cycle of retaliation and keep the region, and the rest of the world locked in crisis.

I thoroughly agree.

The present high oil prices benefit, notably amongst others, U.S. producers. (But not the average U.S. consumer - which can reflect upon voting).

Cripplingly high prices adversely affect many nations that are net importers of oil and gas and of their derivatives such as agricultural fertilisers.

The U.S. and Israeli Governments initiated the current problems and, with their dyed-in-the-wool attitudes, cannot be expected to play any part in resolving them. Nor can any countries that persist in remaining allied to them, contrary to their own interests, whether from habit or intimidation.

A suggested solution is for affected nations, who together can offer combined political and military clout, to negotiate with Iran free passage of civilian vessels through the Straits of Hormuz. On terms that are mutually acceptable.

The terms need to include cessation of overt hostilities between Iran and Israel, security guarantees for Arab nations, and withrawal of U.S. land-bases from the region. Since the U.S. has long used Israel as a proxy, although the roles now seem reversed. Stirring up endless conflicts throughout the region.

If the U.S. withdraws militarily from the region (while retaining the right of commercial involvement) there may be far nore likelihood of fruitful negotiations between Jewish and Arab Palestinians, and between them and their immediate neighbours.

The goal is a difficult one, but the objective is to give the U.S. Goverment the "off-ramp" it seeks, by its replacement with an international presence of nations of sometimes conflicting interests. but with a common interest in restoring a vital trade route.

The goal is to bring peace and prosperty to the region, while fostering a return to normalisation of international trade.

An impossible vision? Maybe. But see here:

The Palestinian Jew Who Envisioned a Semitic Zion