Yvette Cooper has called for the complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that global shipping must resume without restrictions or tolls as tensions continue to impact international trade and energy markets.

In a statement following her Mansion House speech, Cooper emphasized that freedom of navigation must be upheld. “The Strait of Hormuz must be fully reopened, without restrictions or tolls. Freedom of navigation means navigation must be free,” she said, warning that the disruption is driving up global prices and affecting economies, including the United Kingdom.

The strategically vital Strait of Hormuz handles a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments, and recent tensions linked to the Iran conflict have severely disrupted traffic through the route.

Cooper said the UK is actively working with international partners to restore confidence in the waterway and support its reopening. She revealed that London has been coordinating with more than 40 countries, alongside shipping, insurance, and energy sectors, to stabilize the situation.

The UK has also urged Iran to immediately halt activities that threaten navigation, including mining operations, drone attacks, and interference with commercial vessels. These actions, Cooper said, risk prolonging instability and further damaging global supply chains.

The renewed push comes in the wake of a fragile ceasefire involving Donald Trump, Israel, and Iran, which has paused direct hostilities but failed to fully restore maritime operations in the region. The ongoing conflict in Lebanon and continued tensions around the strait remain major obstacles to lasting stability.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is on a diplomatic tour of Gulf nations, engaging regional partners to reinforce ceasefire efforts and promote de-escalation. According to officials, the UK is positioning itself at the forefront of international efforts to ensure safe and open navigation in the region.

Cooper also stressed the need for a broader resolution to the conflict, including an end to hostilities in Lebanon, to prevent further escalation. She said upcoming negotiations must deliver tangible progress toward peace and security.

With global energy markets and trade routes at stake, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical priority. The UK’s intervention underscores growing international concern that prolonged disruption could have lasting economic consequences worldwide.