As Iran’s de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues, Britain is hosting virtual talks with about 40 countries to discuss strategies to reopen the waterway, through which 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies are shipped from Gulf producers in peacetime.Iran, whose territorial waters extend into the strait, has blocked it to shipping since the United States and Israel launched the war on Iran with strikes on Tehran on February 28.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listIts blockade has sent global oil prices soaring above $100 per barrel – a jump of roughly 40 percent from before the war – forcing countries, particularly in Asia, to ration fuel and cut industrial production. On Thursday, Malaysia ordered all civil servants to work from home in a bid to conserve energy.The US is not taking part in these talks, after Trump said this week that it was not its responsibility to reopen the strait. He told European countries to “go get your own oil“.What is on the United Kingdom’s meeting agenda? Who is attending? Here’s what we know: Satellite view of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supply, connecting the Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. This vital maritime route facilitates the transport of goods, including oil and natural gas, between the Middle East and the rest of the world [Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2025]Who is attending?UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is chairing a video conference meeting of more than 40 countries, which began at midday [11:00 GMT] on Thursday. Advertisement In a news conference on Wednesday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said those countries …
