Donald Trump has launched yet another scathing attack on Keir Starmer as the Strait of Hormuz is declared open by Iran.
Iran announced through his Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that the Strait of Hormuz is “completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire,” and Mr Trump welcomed the news saying he “feels good” about it, but also added it was “too bad” he didn’t have help from NATO which he called a “paper tiger”.
The US President also seemed skeptical about the future of UK-US relations. Dan Rivers, ITV US correspondent said: “I just spoke to President Trump says he ‘feels good’ about the opening of the Strait but too bad he didn’t have help from NATO which he called a ‘paper tiger’. The Strait is not open as it pertains to Iran he told me. ‘We have to finish the deal before we open it for Iran’. In terms of where it leaves the US / UK relationship and with Sir Keir Starmer: ‘not good, not good at all'”.
Replying to Iran’s decision to reopen the strait until the end of the ceasefire, which falls on April 22, Mr Trump took to Truth Social and said: “IRAN HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT THE STRAIT OF IRAN IS FULLY OPEN AND READY FOR FULL PASSAGE. THANK YOU!”
In a separate post, however, he also said: “BUT THE NAVAL BLOCKADE WILL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS IT PERTAINS TO IRAN, ONLY, UNTIL SUCH TIME AS OUR TRANSACTION WITH IRAN IS 100% COMPLETE.
“THIS PROCESS SHOULD GO VERY QUICKLY IN THAT MOST OF THE POINTS ARE ALREADY NEGOTIATED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! PRESIDENT DONALD J.TRUMP”. In one of his messages he referred to the Strait of Hormuz to ‘Strait of Iran’.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain and France will lead a “multinational mission” joined by around 40 countries aimed at protecting ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, Sir Keir Starmer has announced.
Speaking at a gathering of world leaders in Paris, the Prime Minister said: “I can confirm that along with France, the UK will lead a multinational mission to protect freedom of navigation as soon as conditions allow. This will be strictly peaceful and defensive, as a mission to reassure commercial shipping and support mine clearance.
“We invite all nations with an interest in the free flow of global trade to join us. Some have already indicated their readiness to contribute. We will take this forward with a military planning conference in London next week where we will announce more detail on the composition of the mission, and over a dozen countries have already offered to contribute assets.”
