By JILL LAWLESSLONDON (AP) — Britain accused Iran on Thursday of holding the world’s economy hostage as diplomats from more than 40 countries held talks on ways to press Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil route that has been choked off by the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the talks, which focused on political and diplomatic rather than military means, showed “the strength of our international determination” to reopen the strait. “We have seen Iran hijack an international shipping route to hold the global economy hostage,” Cooper said at the start of the meeting. In a televised address on Wednesday night, Trump said countries that depend on oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz “must grab it and cherish it” — because the U.S. would not. The U.K. hopes Thursday’s meeting will help isolate Tehran and weaken its desire to block shipping.

Source: The Times April 02, 2026 11:12 UTC