“Proposals have been circulating from Iran to impose tolls in the Strait once the conflict ends. Since the call that convened with more than 40 countries in early April, we have worked to build an international consensus both on the urgency of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and on the principle that freedom of navigation should be restored in full or without restrictions.
“It is clear to me from my talks that a growing number of countries are now joining the UK in insisting that there is no sustainable solution to the closure of Hormuz that leaves the Iranian regime in charge of access,” she said.
The UK foreign secretary said she will continue her talks in Japan on Monday because it is about the precedent that will be set for freedom of navigation around the world.
“If the wrong precedent is set (in the Strait of Hormuz), it would be deeply damaging not only to the global economy, but to global security, and that’s why it’s an argument we have to win,” she added.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said Japan has joined UK-led efforts to support the resumption of free passage in the Strait of Hormuz and in recent days has announced a new cooperation framework with its Asian counterparts pledging $10 billion in financial aid to support neighbours, particularly in Southeast Asia, to secure energy.
He stressed that the UK has been engaging with partners across the globe to build a broad coalition of opposition and resistance to the tariffs – including bringing together 50 countries, including India, for a summit in France last week.
“The Secretary of State has been clear that preventing individual states from holding the global economy hostage requires coordinated international action to protect supply chains, uphold international law and protect the rules-based order,” the statement said.
