The UK considers military support to reopen Strait of Hormuz after energy secretary Ed Miliband confirmed the government is “intensively” exploring options with allies to restore shipping through the critical global oil route.
His comments come amid rising tensions in the Middle East and growing international concern over the disruption to one of the world’s most vital energy transit corridors.
The statement followed remarks by Donald Trump, who said Britain should send warships to help keep the shipping lane open and protect international energy supplies.
Speaking on Sky News’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Miliband said the UK was discussing several possible actions with partner countries.
He was asked directly whether Britain might send minesweepers or deploy mine-hunting drones to help clear the waterway and allow vessels to safely pass through the strait.
Miliband did not confirm specific deployments but said the government was carefully examining all options available to support maritime security.
“We are talking to our allies. There’s different ways in which we can make maritime shipping possible,” he said.
“We are intensively looking with our allies at what can be done, because it’s so important that we get the strait reopened.”
The UK energy secretary later reiterated the government’s position in an interview with the BBC, emphasising the global significance of restoring access through the strait.
He described reopening the Strait of Hormuz as a priority not just for Britain but for the entire international community.
“It’s a priority for the world,” Miliband said, adding that “any options that can get the strait reopened are being looked at”.
The British government has also been coordinating closely with international partners, including the United States, to assess how maritime traffic can return to normal levels.
Officials say discussions are focused on restoring safe navigation without further escalating the already volatile regional conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the wider Indian Ocean.
Despite its narrow width, it remains one of the most strategically important waterways in the global energy system.
According to energy analysts, roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the strait every day, making it a critical artery for global trade.
Before the latest crisis, approximately 20 million barrels of oil were transported through the passage daily.
This includes shipments from several major oil producers in the Persian Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates.
Any disruption to the route therefore has immediate consequences for global energy prices and international markets.
In recent days, the situation has deteriorated sharply after Iran reportedly attacked several vessels operating near the strait.
Reports have also suggested that Iranian forces have begun laying naval mines in the waterway, a move that has effectively restricted maritime traffic.
The deployment of mines is particularly concerning for international shipping because even a small number can halt commercial navigation.
Shipping companies and insurers often refuse to send vessels through waters where mines are suspected to be present.
As a result, many oil tankers and cargo ships have either delayed journeys or rerouted away from the region.
The disruption has already triggered a sharp rise in global oil prices as markets react to fears of prolonged supply interruptions.
Energy traders warn that even a temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz can have outsized effects on global supply chains.
Because such a large portion of the world’s oil passes through the strait, alternatives are limited and often more expensive.
Some Gulf producers can redirect exports through pipelines, but those routes cannot fully replace maritime shipments through the strait.
The situation has therefore prompted urgent discussions among Western governments and regional allies about how to restore safe passage.
One option under consideration involves deploying naval forces capable of detecting and clearing sea mines.
Mine countermeasure ships and underwater drones are commonly used in such operations to locate and neutralise explosives.
The UK already operates specialised vessels designed for this purpose, many of which have previously been deployed in Middle Eastern waters.
British minesweepers have historically participated in multinational maritime security missions aimed at protecting shipping lanes in the Gulf.
Any new deployment, however, would likely take place as part of a broader coalition effort rather than a unilateral British mission.
Military analysts say cooperation between allied navies would be essential to safely reopen the strait.
The scale of the operation could require coordinated patrols, mine-clearing operations, and escort missions for commercial ships.
At the same time, diplomats are working to prevent the situation from escalating into a wider regional conflict.
Western governments have emphasised that their goal is to restore freedom of navigation rather than provoke further confrontation.
Nevertheless, the stakes remain extremely high because of the strait’s importance to the global economy.
The crisis has already raised concerns about inflation and energy costs in many countries.
Higher oil prices typically lead to increased transportation and production costs, which can ripple through entire economies.
For countries heavily dependent on imported energy, prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could have significant economic consequences.
This is one reason why governments across Europe, North America, and Asia are closely monitoring the situation.
Energy security has become an urgent topic in international discussions since the conflict escalated.
Officials say reopening the waterway quickly would help stabilise oil markets and reduce pressure on global supply chains.
For now, the UK government says its priority is working with partners to determine the safest and most effective response.
While Miliband did not commit to specific military actions, his remarks signal that Britain is actively considering its role in the international effort.
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As diplomatic and military consultations continue, the coming days may determine whether the world’s most important oil shipping route can be reopened without further escalation.
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