Britain is considering sending mine-hunting ships and drones to the Middle East in a bid to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Ed Miliband has said.
The Energy Secretary confirmed on Sunday that ministers were talking to allies about how the UK could help secure the vital waterway after US President Donald Trump urged Britain and other countries to send ships to the region.
About 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through the strait, and its effective closure early in the war has seen oil prices soar from about $65 a barrel to around $100 (£75). The change has caused alarm among Western countries, with governments facing the prospect of another rise in energy prices and inflation generally.
Miliband told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg that ministers were looking at all options to help reopen the strait. “It is very important that we reopen the Strait of Hormuz. And we have already been talking to our allies, including the United States, about this,” he said.
He added: “There are different ways we could contribute, including with mine-hunting drones. All of these things are being looked at together with our allies… Any options that can help reopen the strait are being looked at.”
Miliband spoke a day after Trump wrote a social media post calling on the United Kingdom, China, France, Japan, South Korea and others to send naval vessels to the region.
“Many countries, especially those affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Strait of Hormuz, will send warships, along with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“We have already destroyed 100% of Iran’s military capability, but it is easy for them to send one or two drones, drop a mine or launch a short-range missile somewhere along or within this waterway, no matter how defeated they are.
“Hopefully, China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and others affected by this artificial limitation will send ships to the area so that the Strait of Hormuz is no longer a threat to a nation that has been totally decapitated.
“Meanwhile, the United States will bomb the coast and continuously shoot Iranian ships and boats out of the water. One way or another, we will soon get the Strait of Hormuz OPEN, SAFE and FREE.”
His message came a week after he insisted that the United States did not need more help from Britain. “It’s a little late to send ships, right?” he told CBS News. “A little late.”
Britain is reportedly considering sending mine-hunting drones, which trick mines into safely detonating by flying in a pattern that makes them look like passing ships. However, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and senior military officials have been criticized for not deploying ships to the Middle East more quickly.
HMS Dragon left for Cyprus on Tuesday, where it will reinforce the RAF base at Akrotiri. The navy no longer has minehunting ships in the region after the last one was towed from Bahrain days before the conflict began.
Ministers are also considering the domestic consequences of rising energy prices, which threaten to derail the UK’s nascent economic recovery.
Asked on Sunday whether the government would cancel a rise in fuel taxes due in September, Miliband said ministers would “support” the British people. “We will support the British people through this crisis and do whatever it takes to achieve this,” he said.
Government officials say no decision has been made on increasing the fuel tax.
