UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper warns that omitting Lebanon from the current ceasefire agreement could trigger widespread instability across the Middle East.
Call for Broader Ceasefire
Cooper emphasizes the urgent need to extend the truce to Lebanon. “One of the things I feel very strongly about is including Lebanon in the ceasefire,” she states. “We want it extended to cover Lebanon, because otherwise that will destabilize the whole region, and it’s just the right thing to do.”
She describes recent Israeli escalation in Lebanon as “deeply damaging” and calls for an immediate end to hostilities there. “I’m deeply troubled about the escalating attacks from Israel in Lebanon,” Cooper adds.
Diplomatic Efforts on Strait of Hormuz
Cooper plans to meet with the International Maritime Organisation on Thursday to discuss restarting ship movements through the Strait of Hormuz. She stresses that preventing Iran from imposing tolls in the strait remains crucial.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visits regional allies to reinforce the pause in fighting and restore confidence in the vital shipping route. He recently spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah and expects to meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Fragile Pause Under Threat
Sir Keir welcomes the two-week halt in US President Donald Trump’s bombing campaign but cautions that “it’s early days,” with more steps required to reopen the strait. Iran closed the strait Wednesday night, responding to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
Trump posts that US forces near Iran will remain until a “real agreement” is fully implemented. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh labels the Israeli actions a “grave violation of the ceasefire.”
“You cannot have a cake and eat it at the same time,” Khatibzadeh declares. “That was the message Iran sent clearly to Washington last night. Our foreign minister also said you cannot request a ceasefire, define its scope including Lebanon, and then allow your ally to launch a massacre.”
International Coordination and Talks
Sir Keir urges full ceasefire implementation, including Lebanon, in a joint statement with European allies and Canada. US-Iran negotiations occur in Pakistan this weekend, with JD Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff representing the Trump administration.
Efforts focus on minimizing the war’s economic fallout for the UK by reopening the Strait of Hormuz. US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation, including Gulf state targets and strait closure, drove global fossil fuel prices to record highs. The Tuesday ceasefire announcement prompts a sharp decline in oil prices.
