UK Prime Minister heads to Gulf to discuss reopening of Strait of Hormuz

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will travel to the Gulf on Wednesday to hold talks with partners to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open permanently after a U.S.-Iran ceasefire, his office said.

"I welcome the ceasefire agreement reached overnight, which will bring a moment of relief to the region and the world," Starmer said in a statement.

"Together with our partners we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and re-open the Strait of Hormuz."

Starmer, who has been heavily criticised by U.S. President Donald Trump for failing to support the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, has previously hosted multinational meetings on how allies could support the reopening of the key strait that is fundamental to oil and gas trade.

The British statement said Starmer would discuss diplomatic efforts to "support and uphold the ceasefire in order to bring about a lasting resolution to the conflict and protect the UK and global economy from further threats".

The visit to the region had been planned before the ceasefire was announced.

-Reporting by Muvija M; Editing by Kate Holton/Reuters