In the context of the world's most important oil transport route being paralyzed, the UK has stood up to gather foreign ministers from 40 countries to find solutions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz - the artery connecting the Gulf with the global oceans.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper accused Iran of being "reckless" in blockading this strategic shipping route, saying that action is "threatening global economic security". According to her, Tehran has "turned an international shipping route into a hostage of the world economy".
In fact, Iran's retaliatory attacks on commercial ships, along with the risk of further escalation, have caused almost all transportation through Hormuz to be disrupted. This is the route that transports 20% of global oil, so the disruption has pushed energy prices up sharply.
It is noteworthy that President Donald Trump did not send representatives to the conference. Previously, he declared that ensuring security in Hormuz was "not the responsibility of the US", and continued to put pressure on European allies for not supporting the military campaign. The US leader also reiterated his warning to withdraw from NATO.
Countries participating in the conference - including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan and the United Arab Emirates - signed a joint statement requesting Iran to end the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and committed to "contribute to appropriate efforts" to ensure freedom of navigation.
However, behind the tough statement is a cautious reality: No country is willing to use force to reopen the strait when conflict is still ongoing. Experts warn that Iran may use anti-ship missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, fast attack ships and naval mines to turn Hormuz into a "dangerous bottleneck" for any military operation.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is said to have clearly emphasized that London does not want to be drawn into the war. This view also reflects the general psychology of many countries participating in the coalition prioritizing diplomatic solutions instead of direct military confrontation.
French President Emmanuel Macron also rejected the possibility of reopening Hormuz by force, saying that this is an "unrealistic" option. According to him, such an operation would be prolonged, costly and put ships at great risk from Iran's coastal defense system, especially the Islamic Revolutionary Guards.
Instead, Mr. Macron proposed direct dialogue with Tehran as a more feasible way to restore maritime traffic.
According to data from Lloyd's List Intelligence, since the conflict broke out at the end of February, there have been 23 attacks targeting commercial ships in the Gulf region, killing at least 11 sailors.
For its part, Iran declares that "not hostile" ships can still pass through the strait, and the blockade is only aimed at ships of hostile countries and their allies.
However, with tensions showing no signs of cooling down, Hormuz is still the most dangerous hotspot on the world energy map.
