The "Group of 36": UK Leads Global Effort to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid U.S. Absence and Energy Crisis

On Thursday, April 2, 2026, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper chaired a virtual summit of 36 nations to coordinate diplomatic and political pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that the meeting aims to restore freedom of navigation and secure the release of stranded sailors, as Iranian attacks have brought global oil flows to a near standstill.

Trump’s "Get Your Own Oil" Policy:

Notably, the United States did not participate in the summit. President Donald Trump recently asserted that securing the waterway is "not America's job," telling allies to "get their own oil". While no nation currently seeks to use force against Iran’s missile and mine capabilities, Starmer revealed that military planners will soon meet to discuss maritime security for the "post-conflict" era.