UK to host Hormuz planning meeting as Trump deadline looms for Iran
Britain will host a meeting of allied military officers to discuss plans for securing the Strait of Hormuz as Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to reopen the waterway looms.
The US president has given Tehran until 8pm on Tuesday Washington time (1am on Wednesday UK time) to end its blockade of the strait or be bombed “back to the Stone Ages”.
At a press conference on Monday, Mr Trump reiterated his threat to attack Iran’s civilian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, dismissing the suggestion that such actions would constitute a war crime.
The UK Government has pledged to stay out of any offensive action against Iran.
Ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, Britain’s Permanent Joint Headquarters at Northwood, outside London, will host a meeting of military planners to discuss long-term measures to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait, a vital shipping route for oil and gas, has been effectively blockaded by Tehran since the outbreak of war, causing major disruption to oil supplies and threatening fuel shortages across the world.
Tuesday’s meeting is expected to focus on plans for an international coalition to make the strait safe for shipping once hostilities have ended.
It follows a meeting of more than 40 nations, chaired by Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, that discussed collective action to increase pressure on Tehran to reopen Hormuz.
But no deployment is likely to take place until Iran, America and Israel have agreed a ceasefire, with the risk that vessels would be hit by Iranian drones or missiles currently deemed too high even by the US Navy.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump continued to pour scorn on Nato and the UK over their refusal to support offensive operations against Iran or agree to his attempt to annex Greenland from Denmark.
Describing the alliance as a “paper tiger” during Monday’s press conference, the president added: “It all began with, if you want to know the truth, Greenland.
“We want Greenland. They don’t want to give it to us. And I said, ‘bye bye’.”
Earlier, Mr Trump had renewed his personal criticism of Sir Keir Starmer, appearing to compare the Prime Minister to Neville Chamberlain, now mostly remembered for his policy of appeasement towards Nazi Germany in the 1930s.
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
The thing is the strait isn’t closed to those who refuse to support the USA. All Iran has done is taken control of it territorial waters and told countries that they will have to pay levy to use it. Just like Trump announced he would do if the US gained control. France have just done a deal with Iran along with other countries who have been critical and refused to support the American and Isreali’s illegal war. The UK is trying to solve a problem they helped create. Maybe if the UK government didn’t do everything the Americans and Isrealis… Read more »
Fan of the Iranian regime then?
And with that one reply you show this whole site the level of intelligence that you possess. I’m not a fan of any regime. This isnt a sport. What am a fan of is the facts. Not some right wing, pro war crimes stance you appear to have.
You seem to be supportive of regimes who attack countries without provocation and commit war crimes, though.
I think it’s a terrible shame that we cannot arm the brave Iranian people and enable them to overthrow their medieval oppressors. A free Iran would change so much.
Instead Trump bombs the people that would have had a chance and now that is a generation or two set back.
Or arm Americans to overthrow their Christian fundamentalist leaders waging an illegal war.
Yes it looks really medieval and oppressive in this photo taken yesterday
Straits were not closed before Trump did his usual.
Funny that.