UK Leads 40-Nation Coalition to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

The United Kingdom convened a virtual meeting of 40 countries to coordinate efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper accused Iran of hijacking an international shipping route to hold the global economy hostage.

Al Jazeera

The US was notably absent from the meeting after Trump declared securing the strait was not America's job.

The 40 countries represented all continents except Antarctica, reflecting the global impact of the blockade.

The focus of the summit was on political and diplomatic means rather than military action.

Cooper said countries would explore increased pressure through the United Nations and the possibility of sanctions.

Al Jazeera

Coordinated statements had already been signed by several Gulf Cooperation Council states and European allies.

Military planners will meet next week to discuss options after hostilities end.

The Gulf Cooperation Council called for the UN Security Council to address Iran's actions.

Regional powers are weighing their participation carefully given sharp divisions.

The closure of the strait caused disruptions across global markets.

Oil prices surged to $163 a barrel.

Al-Ain al-Ikhbariyah

Nearly 90% of traffic in the strait was halted.

Fertilizer supplies were disrupted, threatening food security.

President Trump pushed other countries to take responsibility for reopening the strait.

He threatened to pull the US out of NATO.

Al-Jazeera Net

The absence of American participation was noted by multiple outlets.