British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper demanded an immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, calling Iran’s actions a threat to global economic stability.
The strait, critical for global oil and LNG supplies, has seen a 94% drop in shipping since February due to the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Cooper stated that Iran is attempting to hold the global economy hostage and that freedom of navigation must be upheld.
A coalition of 37 countries signed a statement supporting safe passage through the strait, although major powers like the U.S., China, and most Middle Eastern nations did not join.
France and Italy pushed for humanitarian corridors to prevent famine in Africa, while some members called for a UN mandate to authorize force.
However, French President Emmanuel Macron labeled military intervention "unrealistic," and U.S. President Donald Trump urged oil-importing nations to assert control over the strait.
The virtual meeting was convened by the UK after the U.S. and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28. Shipping traffic has plummeted to just 225 crossings since March 1, down from 120 daily in normal times.