British military 'helping US plan Strait of Hormuz reopening' after Trump rages at Starmer amid fuel crisis
UK military planners have been dispatched to US Central Command in Florida amid fears blockade on key shipping lane and strikes across Middle East could push oil past $200-a-barrel
British military planners have been dispatched to the US in a bid to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, after Donald Trump bemoaned a lack of support from Sir Keir Starmer.
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UK military planners have been dispatched to US Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida to help plot a route to unblocking the key shipping lane, according to The Times.
Iran's military action in the lane saw oil prices surge to $110-per-barrel on Wednesday, amid fears prices could hit $200.
The experts are said to be helping to develop a strategy to help tankers navigate through the chokepoint, which is feared to contain mines.
It comes as Trump threatened to "massively blow up" an Iranian gas field overnight, as the regime continued to target neighbouring states - the latest being an attack on a Qatari gas refinery.
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As of Thursday morning, the fires at the Ras Laffan energy facility are said to have been brought under control.
Appearing to hit out at Netanyahu, Trump said Israel had "violently lashed out" after hitting the South Pars gas field - the largest gas field in the world.
He insisted "no more attacks would be made by Israel" after Israel reportedly struck the refinery without his knowledge.
The revelation of British assistances comes after US President Trump said he was "disappointed" in Sir Keir Starmer for not backing his invasion with UK military might.
The team of planners include the first sea lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, and has seen options for helping unblock the lane presented to British ministers.
The UK is unlikely to send Royal Navy ships to escort vessels while the Iran war is carrying on, the Times says.
Wednesday saw attacks on the world's largest liquid natural gas (LNG) facility by Iran, after Israel struck Iran's South Pars gas field.
In the wake of the attack, the regime in Tehran has warned sites in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to evacuate because they have become "direct and legitimate targets".
Defence minister Luke Pollard said on Wednesday that reopening the Strait of Hormuz was “absolutely vital for global trade, for our energy security, for the UK and for our partners in the region”.
He said: “The UK is convening our allies, both the United States, our European friends and partners in the region for those serious discussions about how the strait could be reopened. This is difficult and complicated work.
“There won’t be a quick or easy solution, but the UK is uniquely placed to be able to bring together those allies to look at what is the solution.” He said there would not just be a military solution but a “full package of measures” would be required, including insurance solutions."