LONDON: US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke Sunday about the "importance" of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, currently blocked by Iran, the UK leader's office said.
"The leaders discussed the ongoing situation in the Middle East and the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to end the disruption to global shipping, which is driving up costs worldwide," a Downing Street spokeswoman said in a statement.
On Saturday, Trump urged other countries such as China, France, Japan, South Korea, and Britain to send warships to help the United States secure the strait.
Iran's military is effectively blocking the crucial waterway in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes, aiming to damage the world economy and pressure Washington as oil prices soar.
Starmer also "expressed his condolences for the American service personnel who have lost their lives during the conflict", the statement said.
'very bad' future if allies fail to help open Strait of Hormuz: Trump
In a brief interview with The Financial Times on Sunday, President Donald Trump said NATO faces a "very bad" future if US allies fail to help open the Strait of Hormuz, the critical oil transport conduit effectively shut by Iran in the Mideast war.
Trump added that as the United States has aided Ukraine in the war with Russia, he expects Europe to help on the Strait of Hormuz, whose closure has sent energy prices soaring around the world.
"If there's no response or if it's a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO".
