The UK will on Thursday host a meeting of more than 30 global foreign ministers to discuss a diplomatic solution to reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused allies of doing little to restore access to the waterway, while recently upping pressure for them to take it by force if necessary — a possibility which the UAE is reportedly considering.
European nations, much more exposed to external energy shocks than the US and reluctant to get involved in the conflict, are pushing for diplomatic solutions, drawing Trump’s ire.
Meanwhile, the strait’s closure has prompted some Gulf oil producers to consider building new pipelines to bypass the chokepoint, even if such projects could take years.
