London, UNITED KINGDOM — British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a joint international initiative with France and other global partners to ensure the permanent protection of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Okay News gathered that the Prime Minister’s statement on Friday, April 17, 2026, came as a direct reaction to the reopening of the critical waterway following a tense period of regional instability. Starmer emphasized that any long-term solution for the Strait must be “workable” and strictly exclude illegal tolls or arbitrary restrictions on global shipping routes.
The announcement follows a breakthrough mediated by the United States earlier this week, which led to a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and a softening of the naval tensions involving Iran. However, the UK and France have moved to establish a more robust international presence to prevent future disruptions in the Gulf, which handles a significant portion of the world’s daily oil supply.
Starmer called for a total return to peace and stability in the Middle East, stressing the need for a permanent ceasefire rather than temporary pauses. “We need to see a return to peace and stability, and a permanent ceasefire,” Starmer noted, highlighting that the joint plan with international partners is a necessary safeguard against the “for everyone or no one” threats recently issued by Tehran.
