The United Kingdom has expressed support for the extension of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran following attacks on at least two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that Britain desires a comprehensive settlement and the full reopening of this critical maritime passage without restrictions or tolls.
Ceasefire Extension Announced
US President Donald Trump declared the extension at the last minute, citing a request from Pakistan, which has been mediating the conflict. The move is intended to allow Tehran's regime to present a unified proposal to end hostilities. In a statement on Wednesday, Cooper emphasised: “The UK welcomes the ceasefire extension. We want to see negotiations restart, a comprehensive settlement and full reopening of the strait without restrictions or tolls. Any return to hostilities would be a major setback for the region, the global economy and cost-of-living.”
Continued Blockade and Rising Tensions
Despite the truce extension, Trump confirmed on Truth Social that the blockade of Iran's ports would remain in force. The fragile ceasefire faced a looming deadline, and proposed talks in Islamabad were postponed amid ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The effective closure of this vital supply route has caused global economic disruption and soaring energy prices.
On Wednesday morning, tensions escalated when the UK Maritime Trade Operations centre reported that an Iranian Revolutionary Guard gunboat fired on a container ship approximately 15 miles northeast of the Omani coast. The attack caused heavy damage to the ship's bridge, but all crew members were reported safe, with no fires or environmental damage. A second vessel also came under fire, with suspicion immediately falling on Iran, though the UKMTO did not identify the attacker. The cargo ship reported being fired upon and stopped in the water.
International Response and Defence Planning
Military planners from nations seeking to join a UK and France-led defensive mission to keep the waterway open after the conflict will meet in London on Wednesday. Meanwhile, analysis from the Resolution Foundation think tank warned that an escalation in the Middle East conflict could sharply increase UK government borrowing and erode the financial safety buffer built by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in last year's budget.
Pakistan's leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, made frantic efforts on Tuesday to secure agreement from both Washington and Tehran for further talks. However, hopes faded as US Vice President JD Vance, expected to lead US negotiators, cancelled a trip to Pakistan after Iran refused to commit to attending.
Trump's Stance and Threats
In a Truth Social post, Trump stated: “Based on the fact that the government of Iran is seriously fractured... and upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our attack on the country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal. I have therefore directed our military to continue the blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”
Earlier, Trump indicated he was prepared to renew attacks if progress was not made. He told CNBC he did not want to extend the ceasefire, adding: “Well, I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with. But, you know, we’re ready to go. I mean, the military is raring to go.” He argued that Iran had no choice but to negotiate, claiming: “We’ve taken out their navy, we’ve taken out their air force, we’ve taken out their leaders.” He again mentioned “regime change” and said those now in charge were “much more rational”.
Trump later issued a direct threat on Truth Social: “Iran doesn’t want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open so they can make 500 million dollars a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!). They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to ‘save face’. People approached me four days ago, saying, ‘Sir, Iran wants to open up the strait, immediately’. But if we do that, there can never be a deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their country, their leaders included!”
Iran's Response
Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who had been tipped as Tehran's chief negotiator, accused the US president of seeking to turn the negotiating table into a “table of surrender”. “We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats,” he wrote on X, adding that Iran was preparing “to reveal new cards on the battlefield”.
UK Government Actions
In the UK, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer held talks with ministers and officials on the Government's work to ease pressures on the public caused by the conflict. The Middle East Response Committee discussed ongoing contingency planning, including work with fuel suppliers, airlines and international counterparts. They also addressed diplomacy to support US-Iran negotiations, military planning for the post-war mission to keep the Strait of Hormuz open co-led with France, and measures to weaken the link between gas and electricity prices.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent posted on X that the blockade of Iranian ports “targets the regime’s primary revenue lifelines” and warned that those helping channel funds to Iran could face US sanctions.
