NEW YORK CITY: The UK backs continuing diplomacy with Iran and the setting out of firm red lines regarding the country’s actions in the Gulf, a senior British minister told Arab News ahead of a key UN Security Council session on maritime security.
Stephen Doughty, minister of state for Europe and North America, said Iran must halt its attacks in the region and cannot restrict access to the Strait of Hormuz, as he reaffirmed the UK’s support for a negotiated resolution to the conflict.
“Iran can’t be holding the straits hostage,” he told Arab News as he spoke with journalists at the UN headquarters in New York. “It can’t be attacking shipping. It can’t be attacking (our) allies and partners in the region and … it can’t be developing a nuclear weapon.
“But, absolutely, do we want to see a diplomatic way forward? Do we want to see the ceasefire continue? Absolutely so, for us. Our position on this is entirely clear and consistent.”
Asked what is hindering progress in efforts to resolve the crisis, he said: “Diplomacy is ongoing … continuously and we’re putting our full efforts behind (that) because we want to see the straits reopened.”
The restoration of safe and unimpeded maritime traffic remains a top priority for London and its international partners, Doughty said.
“Getting the straits back open is crucial for the world economy, crucial for our economy and for all of our key partners and allies in the Gulf,” he added, stressing the urgency of the situation after weeks of escalating tensions.
The ongoing discussions come amid growing concerns over disruptions to one of the world’s most important oil and trade routes, with global supply chains and energy markets already feeling the strain.
Doughty stressed that the UK was working closely with its allies, including France and Bahrain, in an attempt to ensure freedom of navigation and uphold international maritime law. He also highlighted the role of Britain as host of the International Maritime Organization, underscoring the country’s commitment to a rules-based order at sea.
“We need to have efforts to ensure free and unimpeded access to the straits … no tolls, no security risk and adherence to international laws on freedom of navigation,” he said.
The UK is part of a broad international coalition of nearly 90 countries involved with efforts to address the crisis. Recent meetings have included high-level planning conferences and coordination with military and diplomatic partners.
British authorities remains in close contact with the US and other allies that share common objectives, including the restoration of maritime stability and ensuring Iran is prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons, Doughty said.
While he declined to comment on the specific nature of negotiations involving Tehran, the minister welcomed the ongoing diplomatic engagement, saying: “We need to find a diplomatic way forward here.”
He strongly condemned Iran’s actions in the region, including attacks on shipping and its regional neighbors, as well as reported attempts to impose tolls on vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iran cannot be allowed to hold the rest of the world effectively to ransom when it comes to shipping and commercial traffic,” Doughty said.
He also warned of the wider economic and humanitarian consequences of continued disruption, noting the effects it is having on energy supplies, trade flows and seafarers stranded in the region.
“The global trading system is interconnected … this is affecting not just the region but economies back home,” he added.
He welcomed efforts at the UN to explore the possibility of establishing humanitarian corridors but stressed that the ultimate goal remains the full reopening of the strait to all commercial traffic.
Despite the ongoing tensions, the UK insists that any operational measures, such as the deployment of maritime security forces, will depend on achieving an effective ceasefire and a broader deescalation of hostilities.
“Our focus is very much on deescalation and a peaceful way forward,” Doughty said as he reaffirmed the readiness of the UK to defend its interests and those of its allies.
The Security Council session on Monday was expected to further address the crisis amid ongoing international efforts to prevent further escalation and safeguard one of the world’s most critical maritime choke points.
