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Britain says 40 countries discuss reopening Strait of Hormuz after Iran blockade

About 40 countries are discussing joint action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to stop Iran holding “the global economy hostage”, Britain said on Thursday,…

By Samantha Johnson / April 2, 2026

About 40 countries are discussing joint action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to stop Iran holding “the global economy hostage”, Britain said on Thursday, after US President Donald Trump said securing the waterway was for others to resolve.

British foreign minister Yvette Cooper said Iran’s “recklessness” in blockading ‌the waterway was “hitting our global economic security” as she chaired the virtual meeting, which included France, Germany, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and India.

“We have seen Iran hijack an international shipping route to hold the global economy hostage,” Cooper said in opening remarks broadcast to the media before the rest of the meeting took place behind closed doors.

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The United States did not attend the talks, one official said. The discussions, involving representatives of some 40 countries, took place after Trump said on Wednesday evening that the Strait could open “naturally” and it was the ⁠responsibility of countries that rely on the waterway to ensure it was open.

Iran has effectively shut down the key ‌waterway, which carries about a fifth of the world’s total oil consumption, in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes which began in late February. Reopening it has become a priority for governments around the world as energy prices soar.

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Trump says US could end war in Iran in 2 to 3 weeks, with or without a deal

Trump says US could end war in Iran in 2 to 3 weeks, with or without a deal

European countries initially refused ‌Trump’s demand to send their navies to the area because of fears about being dragged into the conflict.

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