Strait of Hormuz

Viscount Stansgate Excerpts

Wednesday 18th March 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Viscount Stansgate]

To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they plan to take steps to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open for shipping.

[Viscount Stansgate (Lab)]

My Lords, in begging leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper, I hope the House will understand why it is being asked.

[The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)]

Iran’s reckless actions in the Strait of Hormuz are having damaging consequences for the global economy and putting the lives of those aboard civilian vessels in danger. As the Prime Minister said, we are working with our allies and partners on a viable collective plan to return freedom of navigation to the region as quickly as possible and ease the economic impacts. That is not a simple task, but the Strait of Hormuz needs to be reopened to ensure stability in the market.

[Viscount Stansgate (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for that Answer. The House knows how the closure of the Strait of Hormuz poses a real risk to the world economy, not only because one-fifth of global oil supplies cannot be moved but because of the growing risk of fertiliser shortages and the effects on food supply and food and energy prices. Does my noble friend agree that this difficult and complex problem is going to require us to work with our strategic partners in the region and to make use of innovative technology, such as drones, to keep the waterway open and enable trade to resume? Does she also agree with the words of the Prime Minister earlier today:

“The best way forward is a negotiated settlement”,


rather than the continuation of this war?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I agree with my noble friend and I thank him for putting it that way. All these situations ultimately end in resolution through dialogue and negotiation, but this is an urgent situation and the United Kingdom will work very closely with our allies and partners across Europe, the GCC and elsewhere to support the resolution of this.