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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host a high-level roundtable at Downing Street on Monday to address the escalating economic and security implications of the war in the Middle East.
The meeting will bring together senior military officials and executives from global energy, shipping, and finance giants—including Shell, BP, HSBC, and Maersk.
A primary focus will be on Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has severely disrupted global trade and pushed oil prices to their highest levels in years.
In addition to the maritime security briefing, Starmer will launch the Labour Party’s campaign for the May 7 local and devolved elections.
Amid plummeting approval ratings and rising pressure from both the Reform UK and Green parties, the prime minister is expected to defend his “de-escalation first” strategy.
This includes his controversial decision to keep British forces out of offensive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran, a move he maintains is based on a strict legal framework and a commitment to avoid the “mistakes of Iraq.”
The government remains focused on mitigating the cost-of-living crisis exacerbated by the regional conflict.
Starmer is set to reiterate that while the UK will continue defensive operations and protect its citizens in the Gulf, the only sustainable solution to stabilising energy prices and domestic inflation is a diplomatic resolution.
With over 300,000 British nationals in the region and growing concerns over critical infrastructure, Monday’s talks aim to foster a unified strategy between the state and the private sector to navigate the ongoing volatility.
