By Our Correspondent

National News – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to visit the Gulf on Wednesday to meet with regional leaders, aiming to reinforce the recent ceasefire in the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Starmer’s office released a statement welcoming the agreement, describing it as a moment of relief for both the region and the international community.

“Together with our partners, we must do all we can to support and sustain this ceasefire, turn it into a lasting agreement and reopen the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

The visit comes after a virtual military planning meeting on Tuesday hosted by the UK, which included over 30 countries.

Discussions focused on ensuring safe navigation and accessibility of the Strait of Hormuz following the ceasefire.

A prior UK-led diplomatic session involving 40 nations highlighted the importance of the critical waterway, which has been largely closed since February 28 due to the US-Israeli military operations against Iran.

The disruption has significantly impacted global oil, liquified natural gas, and fertilizer supplies.

UK armed forces have played a central role in the conflict, intercepting over 110 drone attacks and conducting more than 1,600 hours of defensive operations in the region, according to Downing Street.

Starmer’s Gulf visit is expected to strengthen international coordination and support measures that maintain stability and protect commercial shipping lanes.

The Prime Minister’s engagement reflects Britain’s commitment to diplomacy, regional security, and the resumption of essential global trade routes.

Analysts suggest that collaborative efforts between Gulf states and Western powers could help transform the temporary truce into a durable peace, while mitigating the economic fallout of the conflict on global markets.